Ilia Topuria was talking with members of the international media relating to Islam Makhachev’s future if he had been to lose his upcoming welterweight title shot. When requested, “Would you favor to struggle Islam coming off a loss or Tsarukyan off a win?” the champion replied, “If Islam loses, he goes again to Dagestan to farm and proceed shepherding his sheep. But when he wins, I’ll positively transfer up. A hundred percent.”
Ilia Topuria is making it clear that he’ll chase Islam to any weight division he strikes to. The implication that he could be prepared to maneuver up in an try to seize a 3rd belt is assured, to say the least. Already thought-about a smaller man for the light-weight division, followers haven’t any cause to doubt Ilia. He has achieved every thing he stated he would, and with type. A knockout artist who also can submit high-level grapplers, Topuria is as properly rounded as they arrive.
That stated, Islam Makhachev has confirmed himself to be a very completely different beast. He submitted Charles Oliveira, the fighter with probably the most submissions in UFC historical past, with out breaking a sweat. Islam left the light-weight division as its most profitable champion of all time.
Islam Makhachev’s Shot at Superfight Legacy
How does Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena rank amongst previous UFC superfights, ought to it go down?
The primary main superfight between reigning champions got here at UFC 94 in 2009, when BJ Penn moved as much as problem Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title. It was the primary time energetic titleholders confronted each other within the UFC. GSP retained his belt, dominating Penn and cementing his place as one of many sport’s greats.
Subsequent got here Conor McGregor’s historic run. After knocking out featherweight legend José Aldo, he moved up and defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 to develop into the primary fighter to carry two UFC titles concurrently.
Amanda Nunes secured her standing as the best feminine fighter in MMA historical past with a surprising first-round knockout over Cris Cyborg, capturing her second belt and turning into the ladies’s featherweight and bantamweight champion.
One other iconic conflict got here when Daniel Cormier, then the reigning gentle heavyweight champion, confronted heavyweight titleholder Stipe Miocic. Cormier shocked the world with a first-round knockout, becoming a member of the elite checklist of double champions.
If Islam Makhachev defeats Jack Della Maddalena to develop into a two-division champion, it will not solely place him alongside these legends but in addition mark some of the stylistically intriguing superfights in current reminiscence. It might additionally make him the one fighter in UFC historical past to defeat a number of reigning champions from completely different weight courses.
