Why not Paddy vs Ilia for 317?

[NoSmilez]

The bigger fight should be Paddy and Dustin or Max.

 

[Eternalwarriorking]

It is of course an extremely intriguing fight now that Paddy is in sharper form. However, the UFC is much too extractive and will need to plan this fight much farther down the line, given how sparse blockbuster fights are looking this year.

I do want to see this fight, and I think it will be one of the few genuinely electric press runs they could together given their personalities, but I'm hoping they both keep winning and it winds up being a big one.

 

[moosaev]

What drugs were you on when you wrote this? I need to know

Is it any crazier than O’Malley getting a rematch without getting a single win after getting 50-45’d?

Paddy and Oliveira both had a very recent common opponent (Chandler). Only one of them demolished Chandler. So why is it so crazy that guy gets to skip ahead?

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

UFC needs a splash play for IFW, why not put Paddy in there? After his last performance it’s actually somewhat defensible to give him a TS. Fuck it, make the fight. It’ll do huge numbers with their story line and all.

I think they are trying to do Olives vs Ilia for the vacant title.

 

[moosaev]

I think they are trying to do Olives vs Ilia for the vacant title.

I think they’re desperate for a big event with good name value. Paddy vs ilia is bigger than Charles vs Ilia.

 

[El Fernas]

Is it going to be at LHW? Pimblett hasnt left the buffet since he beat Chandler.

 

[usernamee]

I think they’re desperate for a big event with good name value. Paddy vs ilia is bigger than Charles vs Ilia.

But I also think they are cognisant of the fact that Paddylad is heating up big time and they would be putting two of their most promising stars against each other. However if Toppy can dispatch of Olives it doesn't matter too much for them.

 

[jeskola]

Hand Sanitizer Boy is afraid of Paddy, especially after seeing the level Paddy is at after his last 2 fights, it's that simple.

 

[moosaev]

But I also think they are cognisant of the fact that Paddylad is heating up big time and they would be putting two of their most promising stars against each other. However if Toppy can dispatch of Olives it doesn't matter too much for them.

UFC are no longer in the business of thinking long term, they just worry about solving short term problems.

 

[usernamee]

UFC are no longer in the business of thinking long term, they just worry about solving short term problems.

I fully agree with that. They are out for the biggest cash grab they can get on any given night. But I actually think this is one of the times where they would slow their horses and come to the realization that they are potentially harming one of their future cash cows a lot by setting that fight up right now.

 

[PeterGriffin]

Honestly, I would really be down for a Topuria/Pimblett fight for IFL.

Perfect headliner showcasing a global sport, with two rising hungry, young international stars looking to prove themselves. Paddy won me over versus Chandler, and Topuria has fast, good hands. There is no way this fight isn't fireworks for as long as it lasts.

Sometimes a fight can just be a good fight without some fake gold being on the line, and this fight is a dangerous one to take for both guys. I like it. Put the BMF belt on the line for it if you have to please the Topuria fans.

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

I think they’re desperate for a big event with good name value. Paddy vs ilia is bigger than Charles vs Ilia.

I like the Paddy vs Ilia fight better as well. The rumor is Ilia vs Oliveira but I'm all for plugging Paddy in there. Book it Dana!

 

[rorschach51]

Topuria has already said he's not interested in fighting Paddy. Also I feel like Dana has more or less confirmed Topuria will fight Oliveira if Makhachev isn't available.

We are just waiting to find out if Topuria fights for a vacant or interim title.

Pretty sure he said on Rogan's podcast that he would like Paddy to be his first LW title defense.

 

[jeskola]

Ilia's greatest fear:

 

[Substance Abuse]

What the fuck? Lol

 

[Neck&Neck]

It’s the fight to make for the soon to be vacant LW belt
Sorry Chuckles but you’re about to get leapfrogged

 

[mister piscadinha]

i like the idea

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

How would the UFC justify skipping over Charles & Arman to put Paddy in there instead lol?

Paddy looked good in the Chandler fight but Chandler was coming off 2 losses & Charles beat him again a few months before, Paddy needs one more win (preferably against Gaethje) before he gets a title shot.

I say we keep with recent form and let Paddy knockout a shot Dariush on his way to the title.

 

[moosaev]

What the fuck? Lol

What’s your objection? Paddy and Charles both had Chandler as a very recent common opponent, whose performance was more impressive? Less deserving guys than Paddy have gotten title shots, and nobody would argue that paddy-ilia will create much more buzz for IFW than Charles. What am I missing?

 

[Guy LeDouche]

One guy just knocked out Max fucking Holloway and Volk, back to back. And vacated the Featherweight belt to go after bigger challenges.

the other?

The other guy, Just took two rounds to beat up a 39 year old Micheal Chandler who hasn’t had a meaningful win in four years. And his last wins after that were Bobby Green and Tony Ferguson.

Popularity and fans white privilge aside?
These two guys are in different stratospheres.