Media Islam Makhachev wants Ilia Topuria to earn title shot, hasn't agreed to fight him yet

[andgonsil]

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

It's pretty crazy they let Topuria leave the division without lining that fight up

I'd love to see Islam vs Arman and Topuria vs Gaethje/Oliveira on the same card

But the UFC is committed to punishing Arman, and I doubt they want to jeopardize this Topuria vs Islam fight

My bet is they figure out a way to get Islam to take it

 

[188912345]

Give Arman his titleshot, then do Charles vs Topuria as a #1 contender fight.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

So not fighting a guy that isn't even a top contender in your division is "ducking"?

 

[Neck&Neck]

Why is Islam so scared of a little Toppy

 

[Söze Aldo]

Pretty sure this is all pay negotiation. I doubt Islam or his team really care about what Ilia has "earned", they just want to get a higher pay for what the UFC is going to sell as a super fight.

 

[svmr_db]

Champions have to fight unranked lightweights?

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

 

[Sean Chowdhury]

since when does anyone get an immediate title shot with 1 defense lol

 

[MRT]

Maybe it is an unpopular opinion, and despite that I do want to see them fight...I agree with Islam.

One title defense at 145 does not equal immediate title shot at 155...I don't care who you beat or how.

I know Ilia did not vacate and move up to 'only' get a #1 contender fight, but IMHO that is what he should get.

 

[ultra321]

FFS... can the guy have one winning fight at the weight class before being handed a fucking title shot...
And no I don't agree with Volk, Connor, Izzy or any of the others being handed title shots either...
And Down with 90% of the instant rematch bullshit as well...

 

[Fergelmince]

Ok so now he's a lightweight with 0 ranked wins lol.

It's a badass fight don't get me wrong, but it's hard to justify why it should actually happen right now from a perspective of meritocracy and not just because it would be exciting as hell.

sherbro, you know they don't have to justify it. Plus it helps their ability to deliver title fights according to their contracted agreement with ESPN. ESPN is the customer.

 

[Spam On Rye]

If he doesn't fight him he's ducking and if he does he's fighting midgets. I'm an MMA fan. MMA fans are gay.

 

[mkess101]

The problem with this isn't necessarily that he DOESN'T want to give Ilia an immediate title shot. The problem is...he's gotta fight SOMEONE. Yeah LW is still stacked but who is he willing to fight? Dana is pissed at Arman so I guess it's not him. Charles? I'm good with it, hopefully more competitive than last time. If they did Islam/Charles and then the #1 contender fight was Ilia/Arman it would be tough to complain.

 

[Kevster]

Wonder how many WW fights Islam would be looking to take before a title fight.

 

[ShadowRun]

He’s ducking

 

[andgonsil]

Is this your goat? Running from a FW

 

[svmr_db]

Is this your goat? Running from a FW

Islam is in a "can't win" situation lol, he'll get shit on if he does or doesn't decide to fight a guy who has recently fought at featherweight.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

The problem with this isn't necessarily that he DOESN'T want to give Ilia an immediate title shot. The problem is...he's gotta fight SOMEONE. Yeah LW is still stacked but who is he willing to fight? Dana is pissed at Arman so I guess it's not him. Charles? I'm good with it, hopefully more competitive than last time. If they did Islam/Charles and then the #1 contender fight was Ilia/Arman it would be tough to complain.

Agreed. UFC wouldn't be in this predicament if they actually built-up multiple contenders and divisions as whole, though.

 

[flektarn]

If he fights Charles or Arman next, ok, I'm alright with it.
If it's fucking white-belt on the ground already had two title shots already Justin Gaethje next, go pound sand up your ass Islam and Ali.