It would be the amazingest, but Ilia vs Islam won't happen. 15lbs are the reason.

[JBJ was here]

I think Islam retires if he beats JDM.

If Islam beats JDM then Dana will be salivating over the chance for $5,000 nose-bleed seats for Khamzat/Islam in Abu Dhabi.

 

[188912345]

If Islam beats JDM then Dana will be salivating over the chance for $5,000 nose-bleed seats for Khamzat/Islam in Abu Dhabi.

No, Khamzat would toy with Islam.
Too big and too good of a wrestler.

I just hope they won't push for a defense against Usman if Islam wins.

 

[Neck&Neck]

Islam dodged a bullet, or you could say a young bull… like he’s the Matador

 

[RockyLockridge]

Agree. Don't be prisoners of the moment.

1. If Islam gave Ilia the LW title shot and he won, he'd have 5 defenses. 3 of them against FWs moving up -Volk #2 on short notice-, another one against Moicano.

2. An immediate title shot was not the most likely scenario. No fighter besides Conor has been granted a TS in the upper weight class after 1 single defense, even taking into account he KOed/TKOed Volk and Max back to back.
The talking was about some kind of Ilia vs Oliveira vs Arman vs JG (match them as you want) with the winners fighting for a TS.
That's a lot of waiting.
And maybe Islam didn't thought Ilia could beat Arman.

False, Conor never had a defense. Dillashaw had 1 defense before moving down to fight cejudo. Neither of which had to relinquish their title so really they don't compare at all.

 

[Strijfy]

It's not happening because Islam doesn't want to fight Ilia. People can try and spin it or justify it however they want, but this is the reason

He doesnt need to fight Ilia. Thats only Dagi hating basement dwellers oozing out of the excrement who think they get to call the shots

 

[pankrat]

No, Khamzat would toy with Islam.
Too big and too good of a wrestler.

I just hope they won't push for a defense against Usman if Islam wins.

Khamzat didnt toy with Usman or Gilbert

 

[188912345]

Khamzat didnt toy with Usman or Gilbert

In round 1, he did, until he injured his hand.

Islam is a lot smaller and less powerful than Khamzat. Terrible matchup.

 

[Skarsgard]

What do those welterweights have to gain by (potentially) beating a lightweight?

An arguable 155 GOAT is a lot more significant than a slick boxer with a couple nice wins.

 

[Bradillac]

The big question is what happens when Islam loses to Jack. Does he stay at 170 to just be another fighter in the division, or does he go back down to try to reclaim his belt and legacy at 155. I think he likely goes back down. There won’t be the same amount of buzz after losing to Jack, but Islam/Ilia is still an interesting fight.

 

[BigOlJeet]

I honestly don't get the intrigue in the matchup to begin with. Let Ilia build a legacy before we start putting him on a pedestal.

It’s too late, bunch of casuals have him as the 2nd coming of Christ on these forums already.

 

[188912345]

The big question is what happens when Islam loses to Jack. Does he stay at 170 to just be another fighter in the division, or does he go back down to try to reclaim his belt and legacy at 155. I think he likely goes back down. There won’t be the same amount of buzz after losing to Jack, but Islam/Ilia is still an interesting fight.

He goes down and gets KO'd, just like Volk.
People will then downplay the win.

Then he retires.

 

[TITS]

1. If Islam gave Ilia the LW title shot and he won, he'd have 5 defenses. 3 of them against FWs moving up -Volk #2 on short notice-, another one against Moicano.

Every one of Islam's LW title fights were against guys that fought at FW.

 

[RichardHarrow]

I think Islam retires if he beats JDM.

It’s plausible. How probable I’m not sure. Even for their standards it’s a bit early.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

He doesnt need to fight Ilia. Thats only Dagi hating basement dwellers oozing out of the excrement who think they get to call the shots

No...a lot of people want him to fight Topuria. It's arguably the most in-demand fight today. Resorting to racism is really lame, and if anything exposes your bias through projection.

 

[orca]

It can happen cause Ilia is crazy enough to chase after him and go to WW despite the weight difference

yes he literaly has nothing to lose but gain

 

[taugrim]

yes he literaly has nothing to lose but gain

If Ilia loses at 170, it will blemish his record. I personally wouldn't hold it against him but rather would respect him more for going after Islam at the highest weight class, esp if the fight is competitive.

But you know how some fans and the media are. Ilia no longer being undefeated would affect their perception. It shouldn't, but it probably would.

IMO Ilia should only fight Islam at 155. Going up to 170, Islam would have an even bigger size advantage because he has the frame to carry more weight.

 

[taugrim]

No...a lot of people want him to fight Topuria. It's arguably the most in-demand fight today. Resorting to racism is really lame, and if anything exposes your bias through projection.

I'd also add that if Ilia adds 1-2 more LW scalps (e.g. Arman and Paddy, in whatever order), especially by KO, it would throw wide open the discussion as to who the LW GOAT is.

 

[sonhow]

The biggest obstacle aint about getting these two in same cage. Bigger obstacle is to convince Dana that this fight is big enough to invest the money to make it happen.

 

[Strijfy]

No...a lot of people want him to fight Topuria. It's arguably the most in-demand fight today. Resorting to racism is really lame, and if anything exposes your bias through projection.

my comments remain , he doesnt need to fight Topuria at all ,hes chasing his dreams just like Ilia is , and while it'd be a great fight , its mainly the ususal crowd that are strenuously calling for it in the hope that he will lose ,givingthem something greater to sneer about online. Im not sure how you think Im resorting to racism or projecting, Im calling it how it is in this forum , the same comments on virtually every thread that contains anything to do with a Dagistani, open your eyes a bit more. No bias against Ilia either , hes a great fighter with style and class who speaks very eloquently, theres nothing to hate about him.
BTW ,Xenophobia is the term you're looking for next time you want to do your cute virtual signalling.

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

I honestly don't get the intrigue in the matchup to begin with. Let Ilia build a legacy before we start putting him on a pedestal.

the intrigue for me is that they're both each other's weaknesses. Islam can be hit in the pocket and i'm sure Ilia can be worn down by grapplefuck, it's a fight about who can impose the other's will. that's interesting when it's 2 of the very best in the sport.