Question about Islam vs Belal

[Sherwolf]

These two train together, and I think we can all agree that Islam would dominate Belal. Both of them know it, and so do their training partners. Do you find it odd for Belal to carry himself like a champ when he knows he's not even the top guy in his own gym, even against a lightweight?

 

[fortheo]

What a loaded question

 

[HuskySamoan]

We just saw Islam go tooth and nail with Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier...but it's a forgone conclusion he'd dominate Belal? I think Islam is the better fighter pound for pound but Abdumanaps team liked a size advantage for obvious reasons and Belal has the cardio, the physicality, grappling and ability to pressure. I think he's trouble for Islam.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Not being the best guy in the gym means you get pushed every day.... battle tested come fight time.

 

[Substance Abuse]

TS actively looking for an echo chamber to confirm his opinions meets the harsh reality that Suredawg brings.

Is normal.

 

[Reileyb]

Islam has faced adversity with lightweights and featherweights moving up to lightweight.

Belal is larger, stronger and likely a better mma wrestler than anyone else Islam has fought.

The jump to welterweight is a much bigger deal than you think it is.

 

[oski]

father's plan

 

[kellier]

Weight classes exist for a reason

 

[tritestill]

How often do they train together? Belal mostly trains in Chicago and Islam mostly trains in Russia,/Dagestan/San Jose. Belal trained with him before his Sean Brady fight not sure how often he trains with him outside of that, also you can be a championship level fighter and get beat up in the gym and someone else get the better of you. This is such an idiotic thread for a multitude of reasons. Mighty Mouse said Matt Hume beat him up after every UFC title defense. How could he have kept winning, knowing his coach was going to beat him up and he wasn't even an active fighter?

 

[Brigfa2]

I think Belal would surprise you in this match up

 

[PEDRO IVO RUSSO MIRANDA]

That's a very good matchup Tbh.

Islam had very good kicks, and very good boxing defense.
Also, No-CuttingWeigth-Islam probably is a monster without cardio problems. (People usually says he slow down too much in 2nd round)

Belal in other hand is the best wrestler islam has ever faced (in cage), he have really good boxing and top control... He's the classic wrestler-boxer.

Probably islam is better at Long-Range, while Belal get the best in Mid-Range.
The problem for islam is, Belal is the bigger guy here.

I think Belal have a better control, but Islam's ground game presents a lot more danger.
Belal is bigger and heavier, but I think islam just have more tools, to land/reverse takedowns and to submit on the ground.

I think it would be a truly entertaining figth. Belal is famous to bring snoozefests too us, but he's a pressure fighter, also islam certainly would bring the action here, both in feet or in the ground.

 

[Nobru]

I dont see any advantages for Islam in this matchup. Belal may get the UD.

 

[dildos]

Not being the best guy in the gym means you get pushed every day.... battle tested come fight time.

This was one of the biggest problems with Ben Rothwell imo.

 

[dipstickjimmy]

This is such an idiotic thread for a multitude of reasons.

The biggest of those "Reasons" is the instant cross divisional fantasy fights the minute someone gets a belt. How about we see if someone in the ufc could Defend their title against actual #1 contenders.

HW has a champion that never beat a former UFC champ and isn't defending against the rightful #1
LHW has a clear #1 contender that is a style challenge the champ has never faced but that one isn't happening.
MW has the former champion getting a title shot in his first fight after losing the belt but it isn't an immediate rematch with the guy he lost the belt to.
WW has a new champ and a clear as day undefeated #1 contender but the champ is calling for a fight with Usman coming off 3 consecutive losses.
LW has a champion and a clear #1 contender who won an "Official" title eliminator bout but the champion is angling to fight yet another FW.
Thank god FW & BW have the champion defending against a legit #1

 

[IronGolem007]

These two train together, and I think we can all agree that Islam would dominate Belal. Both of them know it, and so do their training partners. Do you find it odd for Belal to carry himself like a champ when he knows he's not even the top guy in his own gym, even against a lightweight?

It's an embarrassment, yes.

Islam should fight Belal, beat his ass, and become a dual Champ.

I love my brother, but we used to beat the shit out of each other in sparring.
He was a 6'1" welterweight, while I was a 5'10" welterweight / middleweight.

If he was training for the title, I would do everything in my power to prepare him, as he would do for me.
If we both became the #1 & #2 contenders, respectfully, we would beat the absolute dog shit out of each other (in the fight) — and go home and laugh about it, regardless of who one, afterwards.

This bitch-assness of "I won't fight my training partner," is gay AF.

 

[filthybliss]

These two train together, and I think we can all agree that Islam would dominate Belal. Both of them know it, and so do their training partners. Do you find it odd for Belal to carry himself like a champ when he knows he's not even the top guy in his own gym, even against a lightweight?

On paper, Islam is more wellrounded, the question is if he can toss around WWs like he can at LW. People underestimate the jump of 20lbs.

 

[kingmob6]

It won't be a walk in the park, as Belal is tough, but Islam filled out at 170 will be bigger than Belal. And Belal has nothing in skills for Islam, Islam is literally better in every aspect of mma. Now, you have to account for mental qualities, and that's where it is often decided, but Islam would definitely handle Leon/Belal if I was a betting man. Whatever Belal did to Leon, Islam would do it better.

 

[FrankDux]

I don't think Islam would dominate Belal. In fact, I don't think he'd beat Belal at 170.

Belal isn't scared of the ground. Being so cognizant and over-aware of the ground game is why so many fighters don't have any success vs Islam. Belal will get right up in his grill and strike...and if Belal gets taken down, he knows that's ok because he's got a great ground game.

 

[omawho402]

I believe Islam would dominate Belal every which way and then some.

 

[World eater]

“He beats him in practice” logic. Khabib “beats” DC in practice.