Makhachev first title defense

[El Fernas]

Yea, the UFC are in a catch 22 with their new policy. On one hand, it's great that women's 115 pound, men's 145 & 155 pound divisions weren't held up by champs seeking champ-champ fights. But on the other hand, when your champions are vacating and moving divisions, it still does mess up the divisions and create paper champs.

I'm just not sure the UFC can stop Topuria. I mean, if he just comes out and says "I'm vacating the 155 belt", what are they going to do? At that point it's done. They might as well let him fight Makhachev at 170 pounds. I'd rather see Islam vs Topuria than Islam vs Kamaru Usman.

They will say "ohh, ok...here it is Arman vs Gaethje for the LW title", they own everyone that fights under their brand, the fights everyone get are the fights the UFC wants them to have, sure the fighters need to accept first, but the matchmaking comes from the UFC.

 

[Alpha_T83]

They will say "ohh, ok...here it is Arman vs Gaethje for the LW title", they own everyone that fights under their brand, the fights everyone get are the fights the UFC wants them to have, sure the fighters need to accept first, but the matchmaking comes from the UFC.

Sure, and then what, refuse to allow Topuria to fight at 170 pounds? While they absolutely can extend Topuria's contract every time he refuses a fight, I doubt they burn that relationship and put him on ice.

And don't forget, there is the boxing loophole that allows any UFC fighter to get out of their UFC contract. 1) Declare intent to box, 2) That triggers a 1-year exclusivity period for the UFC to promote said fighter in boxing, 3) wait out the 1 year exclusivity period, after which 4) said fighter can legally sign a new contract with any new boxing promoter, legally voiding their UFC contract.

This is one of the reasons Dana White is campaigning to have the Ali Act gutted. Not only does he want to extend his UFC model of promotional control to boxing, but Francis Ngannou successfully used boxing to get out of his UFC contract, as a champion that won his last fight.

I strongly doubt the UFC want to put Topuria on ice, and push him to do this.

 

[VinceArch]

If Islam vs Topuria gets made at 170, people are going to be surprised by the size difference. This will be the end result when the last LW champion went up to 170 to try and capture the belt at 170.

 

[jeff7b9]

If Islam vs Topuria gets made at 170, people are going to be surprised by the size difference. This will be the end result when the last LW champion went up to 170 to try and capture the belt at 170.

Technically speaking ... THIS is the end result when the last 155 champ went up to challenge for 170

 

[Dagestanaev]

is it already known who will he fight next ? whats the plan ?

He wants to run away from Shavkat, Prates, Morales.

He wants Usman

 

[Shay Brennan]

What do you mean "Topuria moves up to to welterweight, the UFC would probably make that fight", that would be the only reason he moves up, he is already the smallest LW in the Top 15, but imho that fight shouldnt happen at 170lbs, or at least not right away, Topuria doesnt have a single defense yet to be getting a 2nd free shot at another title, in this case, against a LW that just moved to WW, after beating a former champion to get the belt, that fight should only happen at 155lbs, but i dont see Makhachev dropping down again unless maybe, he loses in his first defense at WW.

Makhachev is never going to fight at LW again.
He just spent almost a year bulking up and preparing for WW.

Also, he had a rough weightcut to 170 which means he is a real WW now.
Would be dumb to deplete himself going back to LW, worsening his chin in the process in order to fight the scariest KO artist in Topuria.

Maybe make the fight at catchweight? I'm not so sure.

And Makhachev is not gonna lose in his first WW defense because it's most likely going to be against Usman.

 

[VinceArch]

Technically speaking ... THIS is the end result when the last 155 champ went up to challenge for 170

View attachment 1122255

Good point.

 

[jeff7b9]

Good point.

I actually do agree with your analogy though

That size difference will be absurd.

Ilia is a proper midget and Islam looked a like a real true WW

 

[VinceArch]

I actually do agree with your analogy though

That size difference will be absurd

And you know what will happen when Islam wins? "Oh he beat another FW while avoiding a real test."

 

[ComeChooDaddy]

Guarantee he’s gonna take the easiest fight in Usman

 

[Shay Brennan]

I'm assuming Topuria beats Pimblett in January 2026 and then declares his intent to move up.

Obviously I'm getting ahead of myself there. We will have to wait and see if that fight happens, if Topuria wins, and then if he decides to try and move up.

If Topuria wins? There's no if.
Paddy is not on Topuria's level, not even close.

I just want for Topuria to defend as soon as possible. Idc who the opponent is.
Although Tsaruykan is the best challenge once he beats Dan Hoooker.

 

[jeff7b9]

And you know what will happen when Islam wins? "Oh he beat another FW while avoiding a real test."

I hope not.. or at least I hope it is not the prevailing narrative.

Depends imo on this:

Does Ilia DEMOLISH Paddy AND Arman before moving up.

(Between you and me I do not expect Ilia to take the Arman fight, I think he is a smart dude and he knows that risk v reward is horrible for him)

However- IF...IF
IF Ilia demolishes both of those big LWs then the "just another FW thing loses a lot of credibility)

but I think all parties will.navigate such as to avoid the risk of Arman ruining the payday.



it is a fucked up and unfortunate foot note that literally all 4 of Islam's LW defenses AND his title win all fought at FW.

 

[RichardHarrow]

Makhachev is never going to fight at LW again.
He just spent almost a year bulking up and preparing for LW.

Also, he had a rough weightcut to 170 which means he is a real WW now.
Would be dumb to deplete himself going back to LW, worsening his chin in the process in order to fight the scariest KO artist in Topuria.

Maybe make the fight at catchweight? I'm not so sure.

And Makhachev is not gonna lose in his first WW defense because it's most likely going to be against Usman.

He claimed Dana has to pay if he was to move back down to 155. GSP always cites Roy Jones shift to HW then back down as the reason why he didn't want to do it himself and Islams camp are aware of that. You're not the same as you once were, the spring in your step, the reflexes, muscle twitch. I see it as a lose lose situation and if anything Tops should move up. Makachev is the A-side.

 

[Alpha_T83]

If Topuria wins? There's no if.
Paddy is not on Topuria's level, not even close.

I just want for Topuria to defend as soon as possible. Idc who the opponent is.
Although Tsaruykan is the best challenge once he beats Dan Hoooker.

I mean I agree. I think it's a foregone conclusion that Topuria will win, barring some freak injury like Belfort beating Couture via torn eyelid.

 

[Alpha_T83]

He claimed Dana has to pay if he was to move back down to 155. GSP always cites Roy Jones shift to HW then back down as the reason why he didn't want to do it himself and Islams camp are aware of that. You're not the same as you once were, the spring in your step, the reflexes, muscle twitch. I see it as a lose lose situation and if anything Tops should move up. Makachev is the A-side.

Yea I don't see Islam moving back down. Why would you force yourself to go through that weight cut again? Islam's legacy is also arguably better served by defending the welterweight belt anyway.

And Khabib's team seem to have a lot of respect for GSP, so I'm sure having GSP's old belt means a lot to them.

 

[Why did you]

I actually do agree with your analogy though

That size difference will be absurd.

Ilia is a proper midget and Islam looked a like a real true WW

Iliya is few cm taller than alex v.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Iliya is few cm taller than alex v.

Yea, Volk is 5'5, Topuria 5'6.

Islam still looked every bit as tall as 5'11 JDM, not to mention he looked like he was a true welterweight. Topuria won't be able to bulk up much more without losing his speed advantage. I agree that the size difference will be massive, if Topuria chooses to move to welterweight.

 

[RichardHarrow]

Yea I don't see Islam moving back down. Why would you force yourself to go through that weight cut again? Islam's legacy is also arguably better served by defending the welterweight belt anyway.

And Khabib's team seem to have a lot of respect for GSP, so I'm sure having GSP's old belt means a lot to them.

I want to see Islam's ceiling and that is better put to the challenge with his current weight division with the likes of Shavkat etc not going back down to 155. It's very obvious he is a natural 170 when Topuria is a small 155. As I said - it's a lose lose situation.

 

[El Fernas]

Sure, and then what, refuse to allow Topuria to fight at 170 pounds? While they absolutely can extend Topuria's contract every time he refuses a fight, I doubt they burn that relationship and put him on ice.

And don't forget, there is the boxing loophole that allows any UFC fighter to get out of their UFC contract. 1) Declare intent to box, 2) That triggers a 1-year exclusivity period for the UFC to promote said fighter in boxing, 3) wait out the 1 year exclusivity period, after which 4) said fighter can legally sign a new contract with any new boxing promoter, legally voiding their UFC contract.

This is one of the reasons Dana White is campaigning to have the Ali Act gutted. Not only does he want to extend his UFC model of promotional control to boxing, but Francis Ngannou successfully used boxing to get out of his UFC contract, as a champion that won his last fight.

I strongly doubt the UFC want to put Topuria on ice, and push him to do this.

They dont refuse to allow, he needs them to offer him fights at WW first, even if they offer him the title fight at WW he still needs Makhachev to take it, fighers only drop belts when the UFC already offered something to them, not to force the UFC´s arm, that doesnt happen.

Iliya is few cm taller than alex v.

Who is ridiculously short at FW too, compensates with long arms, at LW Topuria is tied with Tsarukyan for the shortest height of the top 15, with shorter reach.

 

[Alpha_T83]

I want to see Islam's ceiling and that is better put to the challenge with his current weight division with the likes of Shavkat etc not going back down to 155. It's very obvious he is a natural 170 when Topuria is a small 155. As I said - it's a lose lose situation.

I agree that Shavkat seems like he would be the strongest contender to face Islam right now.

But that dude has 1 fight in almost 2 years. I'm not sure the UFC are too keen to give such an inactive fighter a title shot.