Media Topuria: If I don't get a fight this summer, a title fight in the fall is THE ONLY option

[Unheralded Truth]

If they can't book him anything soon for the summer he's gonna use this to demand a title fight instead. Is it a good move by Ilia?

 

[Harlekin]

UFC fumbling the bag

 

[Fergelmince]

After seeing how the UFC treats contenders who don't draw big ppv numbers, I still can't believe topuria was dumb enough to relinquish his belt. A promise from the UFC is worth nothing to the majority of fighters.

 

[usernamee]

After seeing how the UFC treats contenders who don't draw big ppv numbers, I still can't believe topuria was dumb enough to relinquish his belt. A promise from the UFC is worth nothing to the majority of fighters.

I feel like he was so desperate to fulfill his Conor journey by trying to get the LW belt as quickly as possible that he forgot he didn't have anywhere near the same kind of pull Conor had.

 

[Fergelmince]

I feel like he was so desperate to fulfill his Conor journey by trying to get the LW belt as quickly as possible that he forgot he didn't have anywhere near the same kind of pull Conor had.

Yep. For a guy who wants to look like he has it all figured out, he made a very stupid career decision.

 

[usernamee]

Yep. For a guy who wants to look like he has it all figured out, he made a very stupid career decision.

Lets not count him out yet, it can still work out for him with some luck. But yeah, he's a bit Cejudo-esque in his career handling skills here, Joe.

 

[jooohnmatrix]

The guy isn’t the brightest spark.

 

[Steve Fox]

Topuria kind of pulled a Cejudo without going full Cehudo.

 

[bjjwar]

So he's willing to sit out 1 year? The UFC has to lower the salaries asap. These guys dont even need to work anymore with what they are making, no one is hungry anymore...

 

[RockyLockridge]

After seeing how the UFC treats contenders who don't draw big ppv numbers, I still can't believe topuria was dumb enough to relinquish his belt. A promise from the UFC is worth nothing to the majority of fighters.

he can get it back whenever, he doesn't matter to him, a worthless trinket

 

[MrBlackheart]

I guess he’s fighting Volk in the fall.

 

[Tweak896]

Another day UFC isn't putting these big fights together, but fills an Apex card instantly. Yawn....

 

[Darkavius]

So he's willing to sit out 1 year? The UFC has to lower the salaries asap. These guys dont even need to work anymore with what they are making, no one is hungry anymore...

You don't need to lower salaries. When you say no one is hungry do you mean no one in the top 5 is hungry anymore? I've said this on the board before is all the UFC needs are clear rules. My thinking has been:

• In order to be ranked you have to actually fight within a year of your last fight. If not you lose your ranking spot.
• If you are a champion and you do not fight within a year of your last fight you are automatically stripped.
• If you are stripped or lose your ranking spot your first fight back cannot be against anyone in the top 5 of any division.
• If a fighter decides to vacate a title they must win at least 2 fights in the new weight class before challenging for a title in the new weight class.

 

[Chayanne]

Ilia has discovered that he is not the last ice-cold coke in the desert

 

[biscuitsbrah]

Topuria needs to fight a contender at 155 to get his title shot imo

 

[Skarsgard]

Historically, the UFC has always responded well to fighters telling them what to do. I expect nothing but a title shot at lightweight and one following at welterweight.

 

[jeff7b9]

I guess he’s fighting Volk in the fall.

Volk vs Evloev in July. Winner vs Ilia in October/November

 

[burningspear]

Talent like him doesn't come along every day, he will get what he wants.

 

[honzo]

Topuria needs to fight a contender at 155 to get his title shot imo

If I was Islam I'd want that too
He will keep having his wins discounted because they're 145ers.

 

[Shaolin Alan]

I like his thinking; although, he gave away his biggest leverage