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

[Alpha_T83]

Shavkhat

Dunno if you saw but Shavkat has another leg injury, is out for at least 10 more months, and has been removed from the UFC rankings.

 

[nostradumbass]

Garry has more wins and better wins than Morales, and seems like he could hang in consistently, rather than Morales hoping for 1 big shot and getting manhandled if he doesn't land it.

 

[nonoob]

I voted for Ian Garry

Garry has more wins and better wins than Morales, and seems like he could hang in consistently, rather than Morales hoping for 1 big shot and getting manhandled if he doesn't land it.

Merit, point fighting Ian should get it, unless Ali finds another FW to pad Mak's "Legacy".

 

[FilipEmoFights]

Israel Adesanya

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Merit, point fighting Ian should get it, unless Ali finds another FW to pad Mak's "Legacy".

I know you don't want to hear this...but there is a featherweight who has fought at welterweight they might push...

Israel Adesanya

Izzy at 170? I mean...I'd watch it!

 

[KO Shotz]

Ian Garry or Michael Morales is fine by me.

 

[ClinchmasterEdwards93291]

Marty

Prates

Morales

Garry

Topuria

garry so he can get dominated and kicked out of title discussion

 

[Safton]

If this was a few years ago, I'd be saying Usman. That would be a legitimate Superfight. But as it stands, I just don't think he has much left to meaningfully challenge Islam in his prime these days. Any stylistic challenge Usman might pose to Makhachev I think is effectively matched and possibly exceeded by the likes of Morales. Plus he's on a one-fight win streak.

Realistically I think it's between Morales and Garry. Both have good arguments. Garry's got the better overall recent resume in my opinion, minus the blip against Shavkat -- so it depends how much stock you put in that. I don't think you could go wrong with either guy. Both pose interesting stylistic questions for Islam and how they would deal with him, albeit in very different ways.

Prates isn't even in the discussion yet for me. He has a head-to-head loss against Garry. Let him cook.

Topuria needs to defend at Lightweight at least one time before I'll even be remotely interested in seeing him make the jump.