Ilia Topuria continues to be campaigning for a transfer as much as light-weight.
Since knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308, Topuria has constantly made the case for a light-weight title shot or, barring that, a different top opponent at 155 pounds. Contemplating Topuria solely has one title protection to his identify and there are a bevy of contenders ready for his or her likelihood on the featherweight belt, it appears a bit fast for “El Matador” to leap up, however that definitely isn’t stopping him from attempting.
“I actually imagine I can beat the present champion, Islam,” Topuria instructed the Full Send podcast. “I actually suppose that. He’s an excellent champion. You may’t be a world champion by likelihood; you need to do issues nice. However I just like the competitors, and I don’t wish to be a bully and combat with folks that I do know 100% that I’m going to whoop his ass. I wish to combat with folks that the followers suppose that it’s going to be very aggressive. That form of expectation, I wish to create. With Islam, I’m going to have that.
“Doing the rematch with folks I’ve already fought, I don’t suppose that I’m going to have the identical form of expectations from the followers.”
Whereas nothing is official but, rumors have circled {that a} rematch with former champion Alexander Volkanovski is what the UFC desires subsequent for Topuria. And regardless of what he mentioned, Topuria can also be conscious that he can’t underestimate Volkanovski regardless of his win within the first combat, saying he “can’t joke with that man.” However, Topuria nonetheless can’t get his thoughts off the probabilities at light-weight.
“There are such a lot of thrilling fights within the light-weight division for me,” Topuria mentioned. “Arman [Tsarukyan] must construct himself a bit extra however at this level, simply think about a combat between me and — I really like that canine, Dustin Poirier. He’s a f*cking fighter. You recognize that he goes in and he fights. Till he dies, you realize you’re going to have that man in entrance of you preventing and attempting to take your head off. That’s a really thrilling combat for me and I feel for the followers additionally. Islam is a good combat, Charles is a good combat, Justin Gaethje is a good combat. I can point out you so many nice fights that I may have within the light-weight division.”
And, in fact, the combat he desires most is a pound-for-pound matchup with Islam Makhachev.
“I’ve so many issues towards Islam that he’s going to have a tough time towards me,” Topuria mentioned. “He is aware of and everyone knows that the one factor I would like is one punch. And you realize for certain I’m going to attach that one punch as a result of I don’t throw my punches like loopy. I’m ready for my second and I apply lots of approach behind that punch. … Everyone knows that in some unspecified time in the future I’ll join that punch and every little thing will rely upon what God will determine. If he desires to ship Islam to sleep or not, who is aware of that?”
Crossover. Oleksandr Usyk vs. Alex Pereira? At this point, why not?
Dimension. Paddy Pimblett is completely happy to indicate rival Ilia Topuria that measurement issues if the UFC featherweight champion wants a challenge at 155 pounds.
Gone. Paul Hughes criticizes Conor McGregor, however acknowledges it’s not the Conor McGregor we once knew.
Busy. Movsar Evloev wants to keep marching forward in 2025 with a title shot in attain.
Betrayal. Jason Jackson doesn’t understand why anyone thought it was a good idea to release footage of Kevin Lee’s sparring dust-up.
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Between the Hyperlinks with Jed Meshew and Brian Campbell.
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Massive 12 months deliberate.
By December I’ll have knocked KSi, Jake Paul & Tommy Fury out & we’ll all be carried out with the circus.
You’re all welcome!— DT (@darrentill2) February 13, 2025
Again quickly, Blessed.
Rattling, two years in the past now?
Make it so.
Hey brother @seanshelby could third UFC is at house in Desmoine Iowa. I’d love nothing extra then to combat at house, I stepped up on 5 days discover in Utahs elevation and stepped up on 3 days to assist in Colorados elevation. Plus the entire state desires to see it, assist a brother out pic.twitter.com/IynS1rDkBP
— Darrius Flowers (@BeastmodeUFC) February 13, 2025
Poirier is aware of.
Arnold Allen is aware of advertising and marketing.
Alonzo Menifield (15-5-1) vs. Julius Walker (6-0); UFC Seattle, Feb. 22
Nursulton Ruziboev (34-9-2) vs. Eric McConico (9-2-1); UFC Seattle, Feb. 22
Adrian Lee (2-0) vs. Shozo Isojima (5-0); ONE 172, March 23
Josh Emmett (19-4) vs. Lerone Murphy (15-0-1); UFC Vegas 105, April 5
Julian Erosa (30-11) vs. Darren Elkins (29-11); UFC 314, April 12
Topuria dismissing Arman actually provides the sport away. “Sure, I wish to combat both the champion or any one among these previous fighters who’re previous their primes and have an enormous identify. I don’t wish to combat the No. 1 contender who’s younger and good.”
Like, come on, man! If each champion can simply say, “No, I don’t have to combat the deserving contenders as a result of I do know I’ll win in order that’s pointless” then what the heck are we even doing right here?
These items was horrible when Jon Jones was doing it to combat Stipe however not less than Jon has a great case for being the GOAT. Topuria has one title protection! Please, make this insanity cease.
Oh, and Completely happy Valentine’s Day!
Ballot
Does Topuria combat at 155 this 12 months?
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