Opinion: Respect for Ilia Topuria, even if he made the wrong move

[omawho402]

He finishes by strikes and submissions over the best fighters in the world. What's not to like?

 

[Feaser]

I respect him already. Making a shitty career choice doesn’t really warrant any extra respect tho.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

how can you hespect someone that paraded around with a fake fake belt?

he's always good for a squirt of hand sanitizer though.

 

[Preston broadus]

He's running scared shitless of real threats like Diego Lopez.

His next fight was against volk

 

[pamirec]

Ilia is a great fighter, but it looks like he has no choice, but to move up, cause he’s struggling to cut weight for fw.

 

[tasticles]

His next fight was against volk

I was just talking shit without much seriousness. I am annoyed I won't see him and Diego

 

[CasualBot]

Editors note:

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

He's basically copying the Conor resume without the spitting, punching old men, acting like a borderline criminal and alleged raping.

I favor Islam but I think he has a real shot at pulling it off. If he goes up to fight Belal after beating Islam , that will be a tough one. Even if he beats Belal, DDP is too big for him. I predict he doesn't get past WW.

 

[Marko Polo]

People shitting on fighters for not taking chances is one of the worst things about this place - too many posters project their own cowardice and ridicule anyone who shows them a different way

 

[Greyscale]

I applaud Topuria. So tired of this "champ champ" shit

 

[loisestrad]

I applaud Topuria. So tired of this "champ champ" shit

He's literally going for the champ champ shit.

 

[honzo]

I think the UFC want to respect Islam too. He probably sick of fighting people from the weight class below, it's not good for his legacy.

 

[Poirierfan]

Respect for actually vacating his title to move up... Islam is still probably going to crush him though.

I think he beats Islam actually. Ilia has the wrestling to stuff Islam and the BJJ to avoid the subs. It'll be contested on the feet imo, and Ilia only needs 1 shot.

 

[Poirierfan]

He's literally going for the champ champ shit.

He's moving up because the weight cut, at least that's what he said.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

Maybe it was a stupid idea or maybe not. I guess time will only tell.

I can respect his confidence and worth in his ability. He's basically doing this against the UFC will and by losing the belt and moving up, his leverage is limited. Whether he sinks or swims, illa won't be getting the Conor treatment

 

[loisestrad]

He's moving up because the weight cut, at least that's what he said.

As did McGregor.

I don't give a fuck about fighters moving down or up, so Ilia moving up is great. Makes for potentially great fights.

But he isn't some hero for doing so, which is what TS implied.

 

[HeadKickerV2]

Topuria only went to 5th round once against Emmet, and his stamina is questionable, he did slow down in later rounds in that fight, in a fight that had no grappling

If Islam fight does happen, him with that small reach and a boxing style with no leg kicks... hes gonna be close to islam whenever he attacks, if hes not able to defend takedowns or welcomes fight going to the ground its not gonna end well for him

If Bryce Mitchel can take you down good luck agaisnt Arman or Islam

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Sherdog media still sucking Mcgregor's nuts in 2025. Shamefull

He's basically copying the Conor resume without the spitting, punching old men, acting like a borderline criminal and alleged raping.

I favor Islam but I think he has a real shot at pulling it off. If he goes up to fight Belal after beating Islam , that will be a tough one. Even if he beats Belal, DDP is too big for him. I predict he doesn't get past WW.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

 

[moreorless87]

Giving up the belt definitely deserves respect rather than hanging onto it but not defending whilst taking fights in a higher weight class.

Although realistically if he did ever move back down he would probably get a title shot right away unless he was on a really bad run.