Lightweight division in a weird place since Islam leaving

[jeff7b9]

We've actually clarified the division since Islam wasn't fighting any of his contenders his entire run.

Now that's WW's problem

What contender did he not fight though?

Maybe Gaethje after the Poirier KO... I forget the exact timing and circumstances there, but that lost its Lustre when Max faceplant KTFO Justin at 300






I feel like Islam catches strays and blame for basically just playing the cards he was dealt.

The only criticism of him which I think is justified is pointing out the hypocrisy of his saying Ilia needed to earn a shot when he wanted to get one himself but that situation had now been rectified with both vacating.
(Even though Islam has 4 title defenses and Ilia just 1)

What crime is Islam guilty of?
And if there is one, what should have have done to not be in the wrong?

 

[EnthusiastCultivator]

The young guys already signed on the roster are:

Arman
Toppy
Paddy (I still think he'll have trouble when he fights better competition, too hittable)
Joel (just got to the rankings and is already having problems with his weight)


Ruffy
Zelhuber
Orolbai
Bahamondes
Ribovics

Am I missing someone?

Fares Ziam looks promising, also Mateusz Rebečki

 

[Dr. Rose]

Hopefully now that the title fight is booked people get back to work and the stagnant state of things ends.

I think about half a dozen guys were avoiding committing to a fight because they wanted to hold out for a possible title shot. Now we know who is fighting for the title and everyone else needs to find a dance partner and try to knock their fucking head off.

This. Also, the contenders, if they did fight, would only fight each other. If you are number 3 or 4, you should be beating on the number 6-7-8 fighter, showing that you deserve your position and a future dance with the champ.

 

[Rataria]

If anything he set the precedent for His Style that plenty of D1 Wrestlers will simulate and even do better one day.

 

[HP_Nut]

Most of the best are past their prime, I see Topuria beating Oliveira. The only guy that can realistically challenge Topuria within the first 12 months after becoming champ is Arman. Paddy is big but I feel Topuria is much more skilled than him overall. Wont be surprised if UFC books Paddy vs Topuria & skips Arman if Topuria beats Oliveira

I also thought Topuria doesn’t look like a big FW but CSAC weighed him on fight night at 167 lbs. Without him having to cut to 145, it’s conceivable he could come in at the 170s for a 155 fight. For context, CSAC weighed Islam at 178 on fight night

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Don’t worry guys

Khabib is gonna back-door entry Usman into the LW division before the year ends

Daner would rather have Paul Hughes imo. Hopefully we get them both. Usman can’t duck the rematch forever.

 

[Kompromat]

I actually think its at all time high on paper assuming Islam hasn't left it for good. Its super stacked and all the oldies like Charles, Gaethje, Poiriet are still able to beat anyone on a good day.

 

[KO Shotz]

Nah, I disagree. The LW division is rejuvenated with Islam moving to WW. The divisions competition was gutted by Islam.

 

[TheMoa]

Fares Ziam looks promising, also Mateusz Rebečki

I thought about Rebecki, but he's already 32 (I've put only under 30 guys on the list)

I kind of forgot Ziam, I liked his performance against Frevola but the rest felt underwhelming

 

[Tweak896]

Conditions are now right for Paddy to make a run at the title. This is because LW was nothing but the same guys rematching each other so many times. I get there were failures like BSD or Fiziev, but also a few guys got through like Gamrot and Arman. It's finally time for the veterans to step down and clear the rankings so new guys come in. If Islam comes back everyone's fucked though.

 

[chinarice]

Islam got out while the getting was good.

Ilia and Paddy were gonna beat his ass

 

[BroScienceTalkatWork]

LW division was even worse with Islam there, bc there are no contenders. Its at an all time history low with mediocre or old fightes. Poirier is old, lost to Islam and is retiring. Charles is old, lost to Islam and Arman. Gaethje is old and got KTFO by a FW. Chandler is on a 85 losing streak and lost to frking Paddy Pimblett. You only had Arman as a contender who is smaller than Joe Rogan and already got beat by Islam. Its awful…

Joe Rogan is bigger then every single lightweight