Yair could be a potentially interesting matchup for Topuria

[The Legendary Scarface]

Not saying he'll win or anything, he might get starched too of course.
But stylistically he could pose some problems, at least in theory.

He moves more and better than any previous opponents of Topuria, which could mean he has a better time not staying near the cage and neutralizing that tactic of Ilia's game.

Also, he his obviously a taller, longer fighter, much like Max but with a more versatile, dynamic and willing kicking game. This means he could throw some of the oblique kicks that Max was having success with, along with front kicks, teep kicks, side kicks and really keep Topuria guessing and defending from range.

Again, I am in no way saying he will or would have any success whatsoever with any of this, but am just interested in opening up a discussion on the best approach and style to give El Matador some problems.

Discuss...

 

[AldoStillGoat]

Grasping at straws

 

[Objectively Correct]

We need a striker like Max but with leg kicks. Max is not a good kicker. Someone like prime Barboza maybe

 

[flektarn]

He has zero ground game. The second ilia wants it on the ground, yair is a wet noodle.

 

[HolmeZy55]

I sincerely doubt it, Top has a well rounded game and can easily wrestle Yair if he has too.

Maybe if it was a kickboxing match, but even then Volk dropped Yair on the feet so mma math and all that but if Volk can do it so can Top.

 

[Bilzerian]

0 grappling

 

[VinceArch]

He has zero ground game. The second ilia wants it on the ground, yair is a wet noodle.

Based on what?

 

[Lord Pyjamas]

We need a striker like Max but with leg kicks. Max is not a good kicker. Someone like prime Barboza maybe

Pretty sure that guy is dead. But even if we could bring his youth back he never did well against technical pressure fighters with heavy hands?
Or am I remembering things wrong?

 

[flektarn]

Based on what?

Watch his fights. Even Max took him down and laid on him. Volk took him down easy. He's content to have zero TDD and just hope he can throw up a sub from full guard.
Ilia has tangled with guys with a better ground game than yair.
+Taken down and submitted by a one ankled Ortega.

 

[Fact Checker]

lol @ the wrestling anemic Yair having a chance with a wrestler like Topuria… some of you are just senselessly grasping at straws right now. Topuria is head and shoulders above the division… maybe Diego Lopes is the only one crazy enough to meet him in the center of the octagon.

Yair would have that tapping hand ready before the match starts

 

[VinceArch]

Watch his fights. Even Max took him down and laid on him. Volk took him down easy. He's content to have zero TDD and just hope he can throw up a sub from full guard.
Ilia has tangled with guys with a better ground game than yair.

Ilia probably has but to say Yair doesn't know a thing on the ground is false. He has a few weapons plus can get into a good scramble. He's not inept.

 

[humperdoo]

Yair is no match. Topuria is indeed real. if anyone can defeat him, he should a better boxer.

 

[NoSmilez]

Yair will get grounded. I don't think Topuria's wrestling is all that but it should be good enough to ground Yair. I think Evloev and Lopez are interesting matchups. We don't know much about Topuria's grappling except he has a black belt. You can look early in his record but most of those guys aren't good. He fought Hall but he didn't really engage him on the ground until the ending sequence which ended up with strikes on the ground when Hall flopped and inverted.

 

[RockyLockridge]

I think it's a great match up but at this Point yair should be 2 fights away from the FW title. Im thinking maybe he fights Lerone Murphy, he wins that he fights Sterling Evloev loser.

 

[roganisonly5foot3]

Are you talking about the guy who got his head beaten through the matt by old man Frankie Edgar?

 

[Thesnake101]

Ilia probably has but to say Yair doesn't know a thing on the ground is false. He has a few weapons plus can get into a good scramble. He's not inept.

He's not inept but Ilia is good enough to shut down his game, and the takedown threat would be more than enough to let Ilia open up on the feet and find something eventually.

But I don't think Yair will be finding a title shot any time soon. The Ortega loss set him back by a lot.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Diego is the only one I see with the grit to give Ilia any trouble currently.

Yair gets thrown to the ground by strong gusts of wind.
Mosvar's striking is terrible.
I'd actually like to see the Aljo v Topuria match.

But I don't think Yair will be finding a title shot any time soon. The Ortega loss set him back by a lot.

Losing to a one legged fighter counts as two losses, I think

 

[Lord Pyjamas]

Diego is the only one I see with the grit to give Ilia any trouble currently.

Yair gets thrown to the ground by strong gusts of wind.
Mosvar's striking is terrible.
I'd actually like to see the Aljo v Topuria match.


Losing to a one legged fighter counts as two losses, I think

Aljo v Topuria would actually be a great match up!

 

[Hitdepruns]

You mean interesting as an easy payday?

 

[Kaiokenrye24]

Ilia makes Yair quit inside 5 minutes