UFC 317 mailbag: Ilia Topuria has ascended, and so has Alexandre Pantoja

The light-weight champion has a reputation, and that title is Ilia Topuria.

On Saturday, Topuria turned the tenth two-division champion in UFC historical past when he knocked out Charles Oliveira to say the vacant light-weight title at UFC 317. It was one other spectacular efficiency from a fighter in the midst of a legendary run, and already has individuals salivating about the place he would possibly find yourself.

Plus, earlier than that, Alexandre Pantoja made his personal historical past, defending his flyweight title with a submission victory over Kai Kara-France within the co-main occasion. That win was Pantoja’s fourth consecutive title protection, placing him in rarified air and firmly entrenching “Pants” because the second-greatest flyweight of all time. And when the best is Demetrious Johnson, second place ain’t half dangerous.

With lots to debate, let’s handle your questions.

Ilia Topuria’s generational run

How a lot of a menace is Ilia’s 3KO run to Jon Jones GOAT standing.

Effectively, initially, Jon Jones will not be the GOAT. I’ve spoken to many scientists and farmers, and all of them guarantee me that chickens (nor geese) will be GOATs. That being stated, Jones is definitely nonetheless among the many names in consideration to be the MMA GOAT, however we shouldn’t simply be defaulting to that.

Now, to your query. Topuria doesn’t characterize a large menace to the crown of GOAT, as a result of no fighter ever does. Greatness in MMA will not be amassed with a couple of good wins, however constructed, brick by brick, over a lifetime of remarkable wins and performances. With what he has achieved to date, Topuria is definitely on the proper path, however he’s nonetheless very early within the journey. And for as proficient as Topuria is, and for a way a lot the MMA group at giant appears able to foist this mantle on him, he nonetheless has to stroll the trail, and that’s rattling exhausting.

What I’ll say is that Topuria is in nearly as good of form to pursue All Time Nice standing as any fighter I’ve ever seen. He’s, clearly, remarkably gifted, and he’s already achieved an unbelievable quantity at simply 28 years outdated. In truth, I’d say he’s achieved extra at this age than anybody earlier than him ever has. Add in that he’s the beneficiary of some wonderful timing (if he sticks at light-weight, there are loads of nice fighters on the again finish of their careers proper now he can feast on) and he’s within the excellent place to carve his title on the Mount Rushmore of MMA. However he nonetheless has to do it.

It is going to be enjoyable to see him strive.

Three-Division Champion?

Out of all of the double champs, Topuria has the perfect probability to grow to be triple champion, am I proper?

He has the perfect probability by way of he may very well get an opportunity, however I’d put his potential to say the welterweight title at very near zero. Topuria regarded like a featherweight on Saturday, as a result of he’s. He can get away with that at light-weight (although extra on that in a second), however I don’t assume he’ll have the identical degree of pleasure at 170. If Islam Makhachev wins the welterweight belt, and if the UFC makes that struggle, perhaps he might KO Islam. However I’ll imagine that once I see it.

I’d really put my cash on Alex Pereira. “Poatan” already has two belts, and heavyweight is an abomination. And whereas I’d decide Tom Aspinall to beat Pereira, it wouldn’t stun me if “Poatan” landed one and did the rattling factor.

Light-weight title image

Do you assume the seemingly random and off the cuff second the place Paddy Pimblett acquired introduced into the cage for the impromptu face off will power the UFCs hand into making that struggle? And is it even that dangerous? Dana is mad at Arman and does Justin deserve one other title shot? Who else is there?

Sure. The UFC goes to comply with the cash on this one and ebook Topuria vs. Pimblett, and so they clearly ought to.

You’ll discover no larger Justin Gaethje fan than I, however the man misplaced simply final 12 months. It’s not some travesty if he will get handed over. Alongside related strains, Arman Tsarukyan is the plain No. 1 contender, however he’s within the canine home after screwing up UFC 311. Arman is gonna have to win one, opening the door for Pimblett.

Now, does Pimblett deserve it? No. However deserve has nothing to do with it. Pimblett is on a very good win streak, there’s warmth behind this matchup, and it’s in all probability the largest struggle the promotion can put collectively.

On prime of that, whereas I strongly favor Topuria to beat Pimblett, I’m to see how he fares in opposition to an enormous light-weight who has a fantastic chin.

E book this struggle.

Upset the apple cart

Out of Paddy, Arman, and Gaethje….Arman in all probability has the perfect probability out of these 3 to beat Illia proper?

Actually. Arman Tsarukyan is a really, excellent fighter. I’d nonetheless decide Topuria over him, however I’m removed from assured about that one.

Pimblett is the subsequent better of these three. He’s enormous compared and might take a punch. That’s a fairly good start line for making an attempt to struggle Topuria.

Gaethje is final. I like Gaethje, however like a few of Topuria’s different opponents, he’s previous his prime. Gaethje stays elite, however he’s getting sparked out promptly at this stage of his profession.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Demetrious Johnson

How a lot would you pay for Prime DJ vs this Pantoja?

$200. Perhaps extra. A lot cash.

Demetrious Johnson is just about universally thought of to be one of many best fighters of all time, and I by some means nonetheless assume the person is underrated. At his peak, the person was gentle years forward of his competitors. Pantoja isn’t in the identical ballpark in that regard, however he has clearly established himself as the perfect flyweight of this era, and the one man who can maintain a candle to “Mighty Mouse.” Seeing the 2 of them go at it could rule, particularly as a result of I feel they match up in a enjoyable method. DJ was so cerebral and adaptable, however Pantoja has that additional gear the place he can simply will himself to the subsequent degree. It will be like Plastic Man vs. The Hulk, at flyweight. Signal me up.

Joshua Van

Proportion probability of Josh Van beating Pants?

Talking of superior flyweights, Joshua Van has arrived.

On Saturday, Van gutted out a hard-fought win over Brandon Royval to claim himself as the highest flyweight contender, seemingly out of nowhere. Now he’s going to get his shot to crack the Pantoja downside, and I don’t like his possibilities, not less than not this time.

Van is an superior fighter, however he’s nonetheless not even a fully-formed one. He’s 23 years outdated and studying on the job. We noticed a few of that Saturday when he was dropping the struggle, earlier than determining how one can disrupt Royval’s rhythm with indirect kicks down the stretch. That kind of adaptability is a superb factor to have and can serve him effectively, however it’s nonetheless uncooked. At this stage, Van looks as if he doesn’t fairly have the instruments to get previous Pantoja.

However in a couple of years, that very seemingly modifications. You by no means understand how issues will unfold, however Pantoja can’t have that for much longer left on the prime, and Van is just getting higher. If these two meet once more in a few years, Van could be the one to finish the Pantoja title reign. I definitely count on him to carry the belt in some unspecified time in the future.

Pour one out for Charles Oliveira

Larger profession, Charles Oliveira or Shogun Rua?

First, that is an unbelievable query.

Second, pour one out for Charles Oliveira, who’s an All-Time Nice however now firmly out of the title image.

Third, it’s Shogun Rua, however I actually had to consider it.

The profession Renaissance Oliveira underwent after he moved again as much as light-weight was actually one thing to behold. Seven consecutive finishes earlier than then beating Tony Ferguson (earlier than he was absolutely washed), after which ending Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje — that’s a hell of a run. By doing that, he received the UFC title and cemented himself as a first-ballot Corridor of Famer. However there are some points.

(To be clear, all the pieces I’m about to say is a nitpick, however that’s what occurs in conversations like this. Once you’re debating greatness amongst elite fighters, these are the margins.)

The largest is the losses. All fighters have them, however it’s robust when Oliveira’s are nearly all dangerous. Of his 11 defeats, 9 had been stoppages (solely Arman Tsarukyan and Frankie Edgar didn’t get him out of there), and eight of them got here earlier than his career-defining run. That’s kind of poor timing, and hard to maneuver previous.

In distinction, Shogun largely misplaced loads of fights after his peak years within the sport. Everybody is aware of about Shogun’s 2005 — arguably the best single 12 months a fighter has ever had — however even after that, Shogun was placing on heaters practically a decade later. And whereas individuals will take a look at the tip of Shogun’s profession as a unfavourable, that’s kind of simply life in MMA. If Oliveira sticks round for one more six years, he’ll in all probability exit the identical. However the highs he achieved merely weren’t as large because the highs Shogun did.

Regardless, each males are undeniably within the High 50 best fighters listing, and could be within the High 25.

Thanks for studying, and thanks for everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you might have any burning questions on issues not less than considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definately’re in luck, as a result of you may ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply my favourite ones! Doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more, and see y’all subsequent week.