Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight title to completely transfer to the light-weight division, however there’s no assure he’s going to get a shot at gold in his return to 155 kilos.
For the reason that announcement was made that Topuria was relocating to a brand new weight class, UFC CEO Dana White has acknowledged a number of occasions that his subsequent battle hasn’t been determined but, and he could not find yourself dealing with light-weight champion Islam Makhachev subsequent. Ever since Topuria referred to as for that chance, Makhachev has scoffed on the thought as a result of he already beat former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski on two completely different events, and he wasn’t all that eager about including a 3rd 145-pounder to his resume.
For his half, UFC legend Matt Brown understands Makhachev’s disinterest within the battle, particularly if Topuria is leaping proper right into a title shot in his new division.
“If I’m Islam, I don’t take that battle,” Brown mentioned on The Fighter vs. The Author. “I don’t attempt to make that battle occur. I completely agree with what he mentioned. ‘I don’t must battle one other blown up 145-pounder.’”
“He already did that, too [with the Alexander Volkanovski fights]. I heard Islam had mentioned that, I don’t must battle one other blown up 145’er. I feel he’s acquired an incredible level there. What Ilia has carried out, I really feel like he has earned to battle for a title in principally each division, too although, however I agree let him battle one and earn his option to the title.”
This previous weekend, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that it was Topuria’s thought to relinquish his title as a result of he didn’t wish to endure one other tough weight lower right down to 145 kilos however he additionally wished to permit the division to maneuver ahead reasonably than holding it up in his absence.
As a champion, maybe Topuria might have leveraged his manner into an instantaneous title shot however Brown says placing him up towards one other high light-weight like Arman Tsarukyan or Charles Oliveira would solely elevate his stick if he wins.
“Who’s he battle? That’s thrilling,” Brown mentioned about Topuria’s subsequent transfer. “You talked about Charles Oliveira like f*ck yeah! Who else is on the market for him to battle? Arman? That’s thrilling as hell. That’s form of a check to see if he might compete with Islam. Stylistically loads of similarities there. That’s a great one, too. Charles, that excited me. Charles is at all times enjoyable to observe.
“I really feel like anyone attempting to get the 155 title has to undergo Charles. He’s simply that man. He’s been a title holder additionally however it’s such as you wish to get there, you higher be capable of beat this man.”
Permitting Topuria to earn his title shot by going by way of one other high ranked light-weight not solely appeals to Makhachev however Brown looks like that may additionally give the now former featherweight champion the chance to show he can cling with larger, stronger competitors.
At 5-foot-7, Topuria isn’t the largest fighter for the light-weight division, which is likely one of the causes Brown was truly stunned to listen to him say he was carried out competing at 145 kilos.
“Simply my first thought once I heard it was like he’s fairly small for 155,” Brown mentioned about Topuria. “He wasn’t massive for 145. I used to be stunned he mentioned he had a tough time making that weight.
“I’ve solely seen him on TV, I haven’t seen him in particular person or something however he says he likes to drink wine when he cuts weight. Possibly that’s why you’re not making weight, buddy. Cease ingesting wine, drink some f*cking water, bro.”
All jokes apart, Brown says the choice ought to actually come right down to Makhachev, and he’s earned the correct to favor one challenger over one other, particularly as he continues constructing his personal legacy within the sport.
That will not sit nicely with Topuria or followers clamoring for a superfight, however Brown already understands how the narrative will paint Makhachev if he goes out and beats one other featherweight simply leaping up for a title shot within the light-weight division.
“It’s extra from Islam’s facet it doesn’t make sense,” Brown mentioned. “For Ilia, he beat Max [Holloway] and [Volkanovski]. He form of earned his option to any title shot however for Islam, it is unnecessary. I get each side and Islam’s the champ so it is best to must get a battle to go battle him.”
