Should Islam lobby for Arman?

[fightfan70]

Huh?
Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but how does beating either of them a second time do anything to his legacy?
For the record, his legacy is already beyond solidified.
Second-longest win streak in UFC history and most title defenses in the most competitive division.

are you suggesting he should retire, rather than face the most qualified competitors?

or fight justin? hooker?? gamrot?

or just move up in weight if 155 is so easy?

anyone beating charles or arman is getting a title shot, and no one seems to be able to.

so sign it!

this does nothing for my legacy stuff is silly, when he only beat 2 legit contenders in title fights.

 

[shunyata]

I mean, Armen is still the most deserving. He didn't lose a fight, he pulled out. Shit happens. Personally I hope he still gets next.

By rankings, yes he should be the one if he's healthy.

But the way Dana immediately went with "he needs to work his way back up" is odd to me.



Might be something to those rumors that late thurs night his team knew he wasn't going to make weight and had to pull out with "back injury" to save face (and wouldn't fight heavy with no title on the line).

 

[wwkirk]

Might be something to those rumors that late thurs night his team knew he wasn't going to make weight and had to pull out with "back injury" to save face (and wouldn't fight heavy with no title on the line).

In the post-fight presser Dana mentions that he sent both the UFC doctor and the PI trainer to look in on Arman after he said he couldn't fight. It seems clear from that video that Dana thought (though pointedly did not say) that indeed Arman could have fought if he were willing.

 

[Domitian]

I think Charles is next. Him and Arman had a close fight and Charles was already going to get a rematch before. It makes the most sense if Islam is fighting someone at LW.

I'd give Arman the Gamrot rematch as a punishment, lol.

 

[HNIC215]

Islam doesn't care about Arman or gain anything from beating him again.

Spoiler

I would like to see that matchup though.

I think he looks to other weight classes to fullfil his dreams.

Especially since Usman will be coming over to the UFC soon.

 

[Sean Chowdhury]

I wanna see the fight because it would be a great display of skill but I don't see arman having much for Islam, maybe that's an unpopular opinion since everyone is convinced it's a razor close fight but Islam is better everywhere other than wrestling in the center of the cage

 

[moosaev]

Islam doesn't care about Arman or gain anything from beating him again.

Spoiler

I would like to see that matchup though.

I think he looks to other weight classes to fullfil his dreams.

Especially since Usman will be coming over to the UFC soon.

I disagree, I think Islam would gain a lot by beating Arman. His resume lacks enough legit 155 contenders, it will leave questions about him if this keeps up. Beating Arman would silence all those doubts. Beating guys like washed up Gaethje or Dan Hooker wont do anything for him, he’ll just be called a resume padder.

 

[HNIC215]

I disagree, I think Islam would gain a lot by beating Arman. His resume lacks enough legit 155 contenders, it will leave questions about him if this keeps up. Beating Arman would silence all those doubts. Beating guys like washed up Gaethje or Dan Hooker wont do anything for him, he’ll just be called a resume padder.

I kinda agree, I still think he solidified himself at lightweight already but I would love to see that fight.

The problem is Arman lost his opportunity and burned bridges with Dana and Islam in the process.

Not sure that Islam will wait for him to get back to a title shot again. Same with Dana. They may have their sights set on bigger matches/paydays.

 

[DrTrouble]

How do we know Arman even wants this fight? If we put all the evidence together, it sounds like Arman couldn't make weight so he pulled out using his back as the excuse. Dana did not confirm the injury but instead said only Arman knows why he couldn't fight.

 

[Iroh]

Dana is obviously pissed off at Arman, but the way things are trending it’s looking like Islam’s next fight will likely be the winner of Gaethje/Hooker. Belal/shavkat probably won’t fight until summer, so the soonest Islam could move up would be end of year, so I doubt his next fight is at WW. Fighting Arman is much better for his legacy than beating up zero grappling Gaethje or Hooker who he already beat. Why shouldn’t he push the UFC to rebook the Arman fight for this summer? That’s what’s best for his career and legacy imo. Oliveira is also an option but Islam beat him so convincingly that I don’t think it’ll do much for his resume. I think Dana will rebook Arman if Islam demands it.

Yes

 

[Meathead Jock]

i dont think it would be enough, dana is petty as hell

arman may have to win three fights before getting another shot

If Jones can get Stipe over the interim champ, Islam has earned the right to fight Arman of he wishes.

Feels like Islam would rather fight for a second belt though so might let Dana stay angry to not have to stay in the weight class longer.

 

[Meathead Jock]

Dana is obviously pissed off at Arman, but the way things are trending it’s looking like Islam’s next fight will likely be the winner of Gaethje/Hooker. Belal/shavkat probably won’t fight until summer, so the soonest Islam could move up would be end of year, so I doubt his next fight is at WW. Fighting Arman is much better for his legacy than beating up zero grappling Gaethje or Hooker who he already beat. Why shouldn’t he push the UFC to rebook the Arman fight for this summer? That’s what’s best for his career and legacy imo. Oliveira is also an option but Islam beat him so convincingly that I don’t think it’ll do much for his resume. I think Dana will rebook Arman if Islam demands it.

Belal vs Shavkat winner in December makes sense. Still gets two fights in a year and a bit of extra time to get used to a bit of extra weight on his body.
.

 

[clackers]

Islam just got a gift of an easy fight need to see him face a contender next. Fight Arman in 2-3 months and move on.

 

[legedema]

I would love to see Arman vs. Topuria for the next shot

 

[mangokush]

Arman should just take a massive payout to fight Islam

If anything since he is rich, he should pay the UFC for the opportunity to fight Islam

 

[ryun253]

 

[Tweak896]

I think Arman is Islam's hardest test right now at LW, but that said it's a rematch against someone he beat already. If you want to say Islam only can prove himself by beating current Arman, then fine, but when he retires without it he will still have a W against him afterwards.

When champs rematch the same guys it never boosts their legacy the way fans think in the moment. Not only that but whoever loses the first fight is more motivated to win the 2nd match and then the 1st winner looks worse in the future.

Look at Izzy vs Rob 1 and 2 or Volk vs Max 1 and 2. It's better if Islam beats Gaethje or Chandler for his legacy. So if Islam can make the choice, wait until he has to fight Arman.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

Oliveira does nothing for him imo, but this version of Arman is very different from the Arman that Islam beat. Let’s be real.

Agreed!
But I still don't think it does a ton for his legacy.
Beating someone new, preferably at 170 would be the much better option.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

are you suggesting he should retire, rather than face the most qualified competitors?

or fight justin? hooker?? gamrot?

or just move up in weight if 155 is so easy?

anyone beating charles or arman is getting a title shot, and no one seems to be able to.

so sign it!

this does nothing for my legacy stuff is silly, when he only beat 2 legit contenders in title fights.

He should move up.
He's already beaten any legit/sensible contender.
The only decent 155ers he hasn't beaten are Gamrot and Gaethje and they're both coming off losses and don't deserve title shots.

 

[Kono dio da!]

He should because gimme fights ruin his legacy. If the rematch never happens, people will use that to discredit him