Demetrious Johnson sees a tricky highway forward for Ilia Topuria.
Topuria, the UFC featherweight champion, is ready to make a transfer as much as 155 kilos shortly, with a plan to problem light-weight champion Islam Makhachev. Just lately, Topuria claimed officers have promised him a direct title shot, although nothing has been introduced by the promotion for Topuria nor Makhachev’s subsequent bouts.
In an interview with Submission Radio, Johnson shared his opinion on how the 155-pound title image may shake out with Makhachev additionally having the choice to chase a second title of his personal relying on how the Could 10 UFC 315 important occasion between welterweight champion Belal Muhammad—a good friend and coaching companion of Makhachev’s—and Jack Della Maddalena goes.
“I might put Islam Makhachev on ice and see what occurs on this 170-pound division with Jack Della Maddalena vs. Belal Muhammad,” Johnson mentioned. “If Jack is ready to get previous Belal Muhammad, I believe you give Islam Makhachev the chance to go as much as be double champ. I do know Dana White mentioned he doesn’t wish to have to do that once more, however whenever you have a look at the 155-pound division, Islam has just about cleared that out and he’s ready for a brand new contender.
“You will have the combat in opposition to Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, you even have the newcomer Ilia Topuria. So I wish to see Islam get the chance to combat for that 170-pound belt. Let’s say Belal Muhammad retains it, beats Jack Della Maddalena, then I believe you are able to do the rematch between Charles vs. Islam and have Arman Tsarukyan combat Ilia Topuria. You additionally nonetheless have Dustin Poirier there, Max Holloway’s there now, you might have Paddy Pimblett.”
Makhachev was alleged to defend his title in opposition to Tsarukyan at UFC 311 this previous January, however Tsarukyan pulled out of the competition with a again damage a day earlier than combat night time. As an alternative, Makhachev went on to defeat short-notice substitute Renato Moicano by first-round submission.
UFC CEO Dana White mentioned Tsarukyan possible has to earn his shot once more, which is sensible to Johnson, who believes this might work completely with Topuria presumably having to face a light-weight contender first earlier than reserving a matchup with Makhachev.
“There’s so many various fights you can also make within the 155-pound division, however I believe the most important factor that’s on the radar proper now could be Ilia Topuria coming to 155, altering his identify to “The Legend,” and I wish to see him be examined at 155,” Johnson mentioned. “I do know lots of people suppose he ought to get a direct title shot, however I believe why not simply have him versus Arman Tsarukyan? Run it. That will probably be a fantastic combat.
“Arman Tsarukyan was the following individual to get the title shot, however he obtained injured and so the UFC mentioned they wish to see him show himself at 155 earlier than he will get that title shot. Right here’s an ideal instance: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Ilia Topuria, allow them to run it, after which if you wish to hold Islam Makhachev busy, you give him Charles Oliveira otherwise you can provide him any individual else they see match who can combat for the championship.”
Topuria has turn out to be famed for his knockout energy. When he completed Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to say the featherweight title, he turned the primary fighter ever to defeat Volkanovski in a 145-pound bout. He adopted that up with a knockout of Max Holloway, making Topuria the one fighter to place Holloway down by way of strikes.
“La Leyenda” has typically touted his grappling expertise as effectively and Johnson, who has educated with Makhachev’s workforce, was requested if Topuria may outwork Makhachev on the mat if it got here all the way down to it.
“We haven’t actually seen Ilia off his again or submitting folks, however I do know he’s a very good wrestler, he has some good grappling,” Topuria mentioned. “We haven’t seen Ilia put folks on their again, go their guard. I imply, he does go guard, however he tends to go about his fights by knocking folks out and I imagine that’s what he’s going to attempt to do when he fights Islam.
“The place Islam has confirmed this time and time once more of submitting the most effective of the most effective, black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu who’ve submitted different folks within the division. So I believe that isn’t going to be the route that Ilia Topuria goes when he fights Islam Makhachev, however you by no means know. We’ll have to attend and see to see when these guys hyperlink up, to see what route Ilia Topuria tries to take to beat Islam Makhachev.”
