Topuria’s trying to speed run the “McGregor Career”.

That’s exactly what he’s trying to do. It’s a dumb move. He’s forfeited his chance to prove himself the best 145er ever, which was his clearest path to greatness. If he somehow manages to win the belt at 155, he’ll have to defend it at least 5 times to be a lightweight GOAT. The double champ label doesn’t really add much to his legacy, as many fighters have accomplished that feat already. Ilya basically threw away his best card for no reason. He should just go straight to becoming a liquor salesman.
 
Ilia may retire early if he beats Islam. There really aren't any stars or draws in his generation of FWs and LWs. Most of them are on the latter stages of their career like Charles, Dustin, Justin, Max, Volk. He's already talked about retiring early but if he beats Islam I think he might really do it. I don't think he'd be that interested in fighting guys like Evloev who he has already little interest in he's said, Lopes or a Zalal rematch. Or an Arman or Gamrot @ LW? Nah I don't see it. He would be one of UFC's biggest stars then. After Conor beat Aldo look at the fighters he fought.

Nate - short notice replacement for RDA, but generated big hype and made Nate a superstar after the 1st fight

Eddie - champ VS champ

Floyd megafight - nuff said made many generations of wealth

Khabib - now Khabib wasn't a big megastar until the Conor fight and fallout but he was still an undefeated 27-0 champ

Cowboy - lol

Dustin fights....

I don't see Ilia sticking around for a long time. If Islam fight happens and if he wins I bet we start hearing him talk about boxing a lot more. Tank Davis?
 
Islam better not take this fight lightly
 
Tracav said:
he could sit there and enjoy PPV $$ defending his belt against lower competition - I don't understand why folks aren't glad he is putting it all on the line to move up and fight tougher competition ?
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Fans of fighters usually enjoy watching them beat people down, not get beat up. So his move to lw could deffo rub them the wrong way.
 
Preston broadus said:
Hes got knock out power but if he gets close enough for Islam to grab him he's done. Very stupid move.
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Illa is a great wrestler much better than anyone Islam has faced other than armen


Phisher said:
What do you mean "speed run"?

McGregor's prime was only like 5-6 fights, and he got fast tracked to the title in two weight classes.
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no he didn't lol.

I get that some people dont like mcgregor but you dont have to make shit up.

McGregor had one of the hardest FW title runs of anyone to fight for the title before him. Only max had it harder, but again, that was after
 
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Tracav said:
he could sit there and enjoy PPV $$ defending his belt against lower competition - I don't understand why folks aren't glad he is putting it all on the line to move up and fight tougher competition ?
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Greatness scares people. They want the mundane, the familiar, the expected.
 
BullyKutta said:
likely outcome;

Topuria’s scalp gets added fk the dagestanis already impressive collection.
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History repeating itself. Conor moving up was the wrong long term move for his MMA career but at least the epic double champ win (back when it was a novelty) set up the life changing Floyd fight.

Topuria is moving up without any clear benefit like that in mind, at least that we're aware of yet. He's not even big for FW, and is ridiculously small for LW. His ego is out of control after KOing two fighters that are still very good but past the days of their greatness, which is the common pattern of the next generation elite taking over from the prior class.

The only time I know of that he was at 155, he looked cartoonishly small against Herbert, and people remember the head kick but in that fight he struggled with a hell of a lot more than just that one strike. It's not like he was dominating the fight and got caught with a random headkick....if anything he pulled the fight out of his ass with the KO. At least his power appears to translate better at 155 than Conor's did.
 
He's afraid of Pitbull, can't handle all that experience. lol


Now.. being serious, he looked at the LW rankings and only saw Arman at the same age (who's already having trouble cutting weight), the rest of the top 10 is all guys at least 6 years older than him. He's thinking he can get a long reign while suffering less to make weight
 
TheMoa said:
He's afraid of Pitbull, can't handle all that experience. lol


Now.. being serious, he looked at the LW rankings and only saw Arman at the same age (who's already having trouble cutting weight), the rest of the top 10 is all guys at least 6 years older than him. He's thinking he can get a long reign while suffering less to make weight
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smart move lol
AndrewGolota48 said:
History repeating itself. Conor moving up was the wrong long term move for his MMA career but at least the epic double champ win (back when it was a novelty) set up the life changing Floyd fight.
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That's why Topuria doesn't want to fight 145 anymore, and he keeps pushing this islam fight because he knows if he loses up there he's no longer champion

or is he 145 champ still? idk how this works

but if he loses to dustin or justin or some other one, it all goes down what he had built, but I don't mind him doing this it's a new challenge, he's already proven himself at featherweight he's looking at more goals and trying to avoid the pressure featherweight brings
 
TheMoa said:
He's afraid of Pitbull, can't handle all that experience. lol


Now.. being serious, he looked at the LW rankings and only saw Arman at the same age (who's already having trouble cutting weight), the rest of the top 10 is all guys at least 6 years older than him. He's thinking he can get a long reign while suffering less to make weight
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I really think this is the best reasoning.

I also respect the fact that he relinquished his belt and neither division will be held up by his antics/move.

I think this move will make for some really fun fights.

Wondering if he will be granted a shot at Islam right off the bat....

If not, and Paddy pulls a rabbit out of his hat and beats Chandler in an exciting fight... I can see the buildup to that clash as being pretty large.
 
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