What's up with the "narrative" of Islam avoiding Ilia?

[cburm]

Si

First: Islam would've fought Charles, Gaethje (before 300 he was the #1 contender, not Arman) and Tsarukyan.
All the top deserving contenders, all of them pulled out. Not his fault.
Why the #1 P4P with a huge size advantage would be afraid of another amazing fighter? Aren't/weren't Charles and Arman great?

Second: Ilia is probably the hottest fighter right now and could've been the FOTY 2024. And the biggest money fight for Islam, by a long shot.
But Islam & his team are thinking about legacy. Once the dust settles, Topuria will stand as a top 3 FW at best. And one of the best back-to-back wins ever, sure.
But Volk could even be the GOAT 145er if he regains the belt, and was #1 P4P in his 2 fights after 4 and 5 (the Yair one in-between) defenses. Ilia has 1.
Years from now, Ilia could stain Islam's record as "another FW moving up".

Reliable sources, allegedly (here in Spain we have 2-3 good, professional MMA journalists) confirm that Islam asked Dana to rebook the Arman fight immediately. But Dana does Dana. I trust them.
Same journalists warn that making 155 is getting tougher for Islam so he will leave LW sooner than later.

According to them, Islam and his team believe Arman is the only real test left @155, a "what if" they would want to answer before moving up.
But his team thinks that if he gets to face Shavkat @170, the Arman base is pretty much covered.

Does Ilia stand a chance? Sure he does. He is exceptional. But Islam would be a HUGE favorite.

Unlike Khabib, that sometimes (the whole Conor fight) didn't listen to his corner, Islam is very obedient.
From the bell, Khabib will shout "shoot!" and Islam will do as told: wrestle, grapple and probably submit him. It would not be an exciting fight, I'm afraid.

If Islam loses to Ilia, Ilia becomes goatzilla for some time... but Islam gets an instant rematch. Winning vs Islam two times in a row is too much wishful thinking even for the biggest Ilia fan -Ilia himself, probably-.
If Ilia loses to Islam... well, take a number and get in the line.

Who needs who

Simple he denies the 145 champion a fight at lw..

Says he needs to prove himself illia kod volk and max... He did... Islam arguably lost to volk then won a rematch..

If he wasn't worried he'd take the fight because it would add to his legacy he only has washed up lw to fight but he barely fights.. he has geathjr who's on his way out.. yet to fight him after that he's already bested them Islam should move up to we already or take these big fights

 

[PeterGriffin]

You wrote an entire novel without giving a single explantion for why Islam can't simply fight someone else at the same time as Ilia does.

Amazing.

Thanks for perfectly proving my point that you guys really just want Islam to just sit on the sidelines while everybody else takes each other out for him like we all suspect.

You replied to my post that had a few questions in there. You've gone out of your way not to answer, and everyone sees it so I'll hold you to answering. If you're muzzled, just say so dude.

Islam should not HAVE to take a fight first, so Topuria can finally shit or get off the pot. Their careers are not intrinsically linked, all other options be damned, whether Islam likes it or not. Makachev's waiting to see what happens with the Belal fight. Now, I get that you and Ilia probably don't LIKE that reason, but it's a reason and a perfectly valid one from Islam's perspective.

Islam just fought three months ago, in this calender year. Topuria fought late last year. (Or would you like to dispute that too?) I am sorry you find reading difficult so let's try this again then.

Why are you not bitching about Ilia not fighting already?

Why should Islam accommodate Ilia? What does Islam OWE Ilia?

What makes Ilia more worthy than Gaethje or Oliveira at 155lbs? Islam has other options to weigh too, mate. Topuria's the fighter who seems to have drawn a line in the sand.

 

[RockyLockridge]

What makes Ilia more worthy than Gaethje or Oliveira at 155lbs? Islam has other options to weigh too, mate. Topuria's the fighter who seems to have drawn a line in the sand.

Illa is the only undefeated champion in the sport??

Illa already has a ko over max, who is a ranked LW, first to ever do it, Max who has KO wins over both Charles and Justin???

 

[markg171]

You replied to my post that had a few questions in there. You've gone out of your way not to answer, and everyone sees it so I'll hold you to answering. If you're muzzled, just say so dude.

Islam should not HAVE to take a fight first, so Topuria can finally shit or get off the pot. Their careers are not intrinsically linked, all other options be damned, whether Islam likes it or not. Makachev's waiting to see what happens with the Belal fight. Now, I get that you and Ilia probably don't LIKE that reason, but it's a reason and a perfectly valid one from Islam's perspective.

Islam just fought three months ago, in this calender year. Topuria fought late last year. (Or would you like to dispute that too?) I am sorry you find reading difficult so let's try this again then.

Why are you not bitching about Ilia not fighting already?

Why should Islam accommodate Ilia? What does Islam OWE Ilia?

What makes Ilia more worthy than Gaethje or Oliveira at 155lbs? Islam has other options to weigh too, mate. Topuria's the fighter who seems to have drawn a line in the sand.

We’re now at the point where you’re seriously saying Justin deserves a title shot over Ilia who is coming off KOing the guy who KO’d Justin.

Bruddah just say you want layoffs and layups for Islam. We’d respect you more for the honesty.

 

[mister piscadinha]

crazy.. islam should stop avoiding illia

 

[PeterGriffin]

We’re now at the point where you’re seriously saying Justin deserves a title shot over Ilia who is coming off KOing the guy who KO’d Justin.

Bruddah just say you want layoffs and layups for Islam. We’d respect you more for the honesty.

And Justin just fought and won last month. Even did it at 155lbs.

Did you forget about that? Should he sign another fight too before Ilia gets the courage to put on his big boy pants and agrees to fight someone? And what did I say? I said Islam has options, and he does. Justin is one of them.

You don't even have the stones to answer honest questions dude, don't even talk about honesty. That's sad.

 

[nostradumbass]

It's the same half dozen Islam haters who just don't want him to fight for the WW title, and want him to fight someone they can easily dismiss and discredit after Islam wins, and that's all it ever is. There is literally 0 legitimate reason anybody could claim Topuria deserves an instant title shot after just winning the FW belt last year, but somehow a decade long win streak and the LW defense record isn't quite enough for Islam to move up.

Topuria's fought twice in 2 years, refuses to fight even 1 contender before demanding a title shot.

 

[Bowel-forged Stool]

I just wanna see the p4p #1 fight more

 

[markg171]

And Justin just fought and won last month. Even did it at 155lbs.

Did you forget about that? Should he sign another fight too before Ilia gets the courage to put on his big boy pants and agrees to fight someone? And what did I say? I said Islam has options, and he does. Justin is one of them.

You don't even have the stones to answer honest questions dude, don't even talk about honesty. That's sad.

So Islam isn’t fighting this year again eh?

Lmao.

 

[orca]

topuria has how many defenses?
blows my mind people think he can get title shots anywhere he likes

 

[JKS]

I honestly think that Islam just didn't get a s##t about Ilia and didn't need that fight. He already defeated the FW goat 2x and clearly wanted to accomplish bigger things. Only way he would take it is if the UFC made it happen and he wasn't moving up.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

Idk why Islam wanted to move up but I'm just bummed we aren't getting Ilia vs Islam. The two fights we are getting instead feel like small potatoes in comparison.

 

[JKS]

The ideal scenario for Islam is fighting Arman (doesn't want to leave that "what if"), Belal losing the belt in the meanwhile, and moving up.

But Dana does Dana, so Arman is not getting an immediate TS even if Islam and his team are lobbying for it.
So Charles is the #1 contender right now. Why does Charles would accept an Ilia fight when, unless JDM wins and Islam leaves 155, he is next for the belt?

Ilia vs Arman is the only fight that makes sense, I don't understand why is not already booked.
Arman being a big favorite for me.

Ilia did a bold move, and I see a "passing of the torch" at 155.
But if he loses to Arman and Tsarurkyan becomes champ (Islam vacating or -unlikely- Arman beating Islam)...

...He gets stuck in a bad spot.

Dana does Dana?? I think that is all on Arman buddy, this dummy pulled out of a main event two days prior with some BS injury. And he's supposed to get a do-over and get another shot right away??

 

[Prazeres]

People are confusing Ilia vs Islam being more interesting because of storylines than Islam vs JDM to thinking it's a thougher fight for Islam.

 

[Prazeres]

Dana does Dana?? I think that is all on Arman buddy, this dummy pulled out of a main event two days prior with some BS injury. And he's supposed to get a do-over and get another shot right away??

If he was a popular and exciting fighter he would get one.
Charles also has a history of missing title fights because of a dumb injuries on top of losing the tite by missing weight and losing to Arman in recent memories.
But he's leagues more popular then Arman, so he gets the vacant title fight.

 

[JKS]

If he was a popular and exciting fighter he would get one.
Charles also has a history of missing title fights because of a dumb injuries on top of losing the tite by missing weight and losing to Arman in recent memories.
But he's leagues more popular then Arman, so he gets the vacant title fight.

None of what you said makes any sense. Has nothing to do with popularity. The guy pulled out last minute and gets punished. Every fighter in the promotions history would have to deal with that.

Charles pulled out cause he got a cut over his eye in training 3 weeks out, that's like any other injury in training. Arman did something stupid a few days prior when training camp was done. And then Charles had to fight Arman for the #1 contender spot. Then to get this vacant shot, he fought again vs Chandler. So your claim is not valid, Charles pulled out and had to fight again to regain his status as the #1 contender and another title shot. You're claiming Arman should just get a direct shot again.

 

[r-harper-1]

Islam has defended against the 145 lbs champ twice ….. it’s clearly his turn to move up if he desires……I really want Topuria vs Islam at 155 lbs though …best fight possible in the sport for me

 

[CieloLuce]

I think they're just drumming up some hype/heat in case it happens.

It don't hurt to start the train.

 

[r-harper-1]

None of what you said makes any sense. Has nothing to do with popularity. The guy pulled out last minute and gets punished. Every fighter in the promotions history would have to deal with that.

Charles pulled out cause he got a cut over his eye in training 3 weeks out, that's like any other injury in training. Arman did something stupid a few days prior when training camp was done. And then Charles had to fight Arman for the #1 contender spot. Then to get this vacant shot, he fought again vs Chandler. So your claim is not valid, Charles pulled out and had to fight again to regain his status as the #1 contender and another title shot. You're claiming Arman should just get a direct shot again.

That Chandler win was fairly meaningless…..really should be Armen vs Topuria …..but I like Topuria vs Charles better

 

[nostradumbass]

It was pretty much just the Dagi haters hoping for a fight they could discredit easier. There's a pretty incredible overlap between the people who said 1 defense wasn't enough and Islam should have to vacate and fight contenders at WW when he first said he wanted to move up to fight then champ Leon, and the people pretending Topuria was some undeniable #1 contender, and the people who did and still do dismiss Islam's wins over Volk as "just beating a FW".

I think the deal was for him to stay at LW and fight Ilia if Belal had won, but it's kind of a slap in the face to deny Islam the chance to move up 2 years ago saying 1 defense wasn't enough, then make more than half of his LW reign beating every new FW champ for whom somehow 1 defense is suddenly sufficient.