[POLL] Who Should be Islam's First Defense?

[El Fernas]

Welterweight:
Morales/Garry
Prates
Usman

Lightweight:
Topuria

 

[Bobble Head]

I certainly don’t want to see Islam get credit for beating a shopworn no knees Usman that’s lost 3 of his last 4 anyway. I like Islam, but I can see it now.. People acting like he bested a prime Usman and giving him all the credit in the world, no thanks. The 8 people that want that so far can go pound sand.

Anyways, Morales. Most deserving and I think it would be an interesting match up.

 

[Blastbeat]

I voted Morales but honestly I am fine with any of those guys besides Usman and Topuria
Usman needs to win more fights
Topuria needs to defend his belt in his division

 

[Nobru]

1. Morales, cause of what we've seen last 3

2. Prates, he 'smoked' everyone and would have finished garry if it was a 5rounder.

3. Garry. Slightly below Prates.

4. Usman

5. Ilia

nrs. 4 and 5 just cause of thread. I wouldnt even consider these matchups at this point.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Garry has the better resume overall for the division, but I don't like to write off losses or close fights. So on paper Garry should get it, but Morales looks like the biggest killer in the division.

I think there are good arguments for both guys getting a title shot. My thinking is that Garry has a higher chance of negating Islam's wrestling and actually winning the fight.

I think Morales gets taken down and dominated. So I'd rather see someone with a better chance to beat Islam get the title shot.

 

[Blastbeat]

I think there are good arguments for both guys getting a title shot. My thinking is that Garry has a higher chance of negating Islam's wrestling and actually winning the fight.

I think Morales gets taken down and dominated. So I'd rather see someone with a better chance to beat Islam get the title shot.

You know I think Morales and Prates vs Islam both go similarly. Morales might stay on his feet a bit longer but I think eventually both would get taken down and possibly submitted. If not that then wide UD. Both have a puncher's chance, with Prates having a better puncher's chance since he has one shot people before.
Garry might be the best bet to beat Islam, you're right. Only thing that would concern me with him would be his striking defense. Garry has gotten clipped bad by strikers much worse than Islam.

 

[Tweak896]

I think there are good arguments for both guys getting a title shot. My thinking is that Garry has a higher chance of negating Islam's wrestling and actually winning the fight.

I think Morales gets taken down and dominated. So I'd rather see someone with a better chance to beat Islam get the title shot.

Garry has better proven TDD, but also he lost to grappling from Shavkat while Morales was able to keep Brady off him and get the finish. I'm not sure I'm willing to put all my chips in and say Morales is going to be fine dealing with Islam's wrestling, he's not totally proven.
Hard to pick the next one up. Picking anyone over Islam is difficult.

 

[Frank_Drebin]

Marty

Prates

Morales

Garry

Topuria

other than marty, who are these weirdos lol

 

[Streeter]

Garry is likely more deserving but Morales is better fight

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

other than marty, who are these weirdos lol

 

[Southpoor97]

Marty

Prates

Morales

Garry

Topuria

I don’t understand the Morales argument.


His resume is clearly worse than Garry’s. Burns is not a legit win. So his only real win is Brady, who himself was probably a little overrated after beating Burns and a washed up Leon and lost to Belal. Idk I just don’t understand the hype or argument.

Garry has wins over Prates, MVP, Belal

 

[Southpoor97]

I would rather see a tried and tested ATG in Usman face Islam, because I can trust in his wrestling to hold up. He's on short time, putting him against another contender would be a waste of what he has left to offer.

Do we really wanna see Garry try and poke at Islam's knees at range for 5 rounds? I certainly don't.

Am I the only one who thinks Usman is absolute trash and gets Ko by Islam within a round and by any of the other names on the list?

How are people still acting like Usman is any good

 

[Southpoor97]

I would argue yes. Leon was more washed up.

Yes. Beating Belal is way better than beating Leon in 2025.

I mean we saw Leon Belal already…

 

[Thy]

i'm content with anyone at this point. Just tired of waiting.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Picking anyone over Islam is difficult.

I agree. I still favor Islam to beat anyone they put in front of him at 170 pounds.

 

[White lightning 2]

Shavkhat

 

[TheCryingElite]

I voted Morales because of his winning streak. But I think Garry would give Islam a better fight.

 

[Mmmmmmma1234]

I don’t understand the Morales argument.


His resume is clearly worse than Garry’s. Burns is not a legit win. So his only real win is Brady, who himself was probably a little overrated after beating Burns and a washed up Leon and lost to Belal. Idk I just don’t understand the hype or argument.

Garry has wins over Prates, MVP, Belal

Morales has won 7 UFC fights in a row. Has 3 first round ko's in a row vs top 15, including the #2.
Garry has won 2 fights in a row. Both by dec, including #2.
By any metrics other than your feelings that hugging prates, jabbing old man belal is not better than ko's of Burns & Brady while having five more wins behind that.

I voted Morales because he's easily the most deserving but if garry gets it he's a solid #2 contender right now, i'd be fine with it.

Anyone else is shenanigans.

 

[Southpoor97]

Morales has won 7 UFC fights in a row. Has 3 first round ko's in a row vs top 15, including the #2.
Garry has won 2 fights in a row. Both by dec, including #2.
By any metrics other than your feelings that hugging prates, jabbing old man belal is not better than ko's of Burns & Brady while having five more wins behind that.

I voted Morales because he's easily the most deserving but if garry gets it he's a solid #2 contender right now, i'd be fine with it.

Anyone else is shenanigans.

Even with favourable framing that didn’t read well.
Morales only good win is Brady who lost somewhat recently to Belal.

Garry has two top 5 wins back to back. Including beating the guy who whooped Brady.

It’s not even disputable.

Morales has not beaten a name he needs to. No former champ, no title challenger, no one on a hot streak. Just Brady who go koed a couple fights before.

 

[JKS]

I voted for Ian Garry