Ilia Topuria made fairly an announcement together with his jaw-dropping knockout over Charles Oliveira to turn into light-weight champion at UFC 317 and even Dustin Poirier admits he was impressed.
Forward of his retirement combat on Saturday at UFC 318, the previous interim title holder heaped excessive reward on Topuria and his capacity to pack a lot energy behind his punches that he delivered such an emphatic end. Poirier is aware of from private expertise how exhausting it may be to cope with Oliveira after he suffered a submission loss to him in a title combat again in 2021.
“It’s not that I didn’t suppose he might do it or it could occur, I used to be simply stunned like everyone else,” Poirier mentioned about Topuria throughout UFC 318 media day. “We’ve by no means seen Charles put out like that. We’ve seen Charles stopped however we’ve by no means seen him put out like that.
“Simply the streak the man’s on. I’m an enormous fan. Any time he’s combating, I’m watching. I hold saying the identical factor however he’s all the things that he mentioned he’s to date. He’s nonetheless younger, the sky’s the restrict. He’s him.”
So far as what comes subsequent for Topuria, there are fairly a couple of choices obtainable to him.
Whereas he’s not chasing that purpose together with his profession coming to an finish on Saturday, Poirier hopes that Topuria sticks across the division to defend his belt a couple of instances relatively than chasing a 3rd title at welterweight.
Topuria has already hinted at his curiosity in ultimately transferring to 170 kilos, particularly if former UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev is ready to seize the title in that division with a combat anticipated in opposition to reigning welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena later this yr.
Poirier confronted Makhachev simply this previous yr so he is aware of what a frightening process that may be to beat so he cautions Topuria about packing on the kilos simply to chase down the ferocious Russian.
“[Lightweight] has all the time been so cloudy on the high. Perhaps [Justin] Gaethje?” Poirier mentioned about who’s subsequent for Topuria. “I feel him going to 170 to combat Islam if Islam wins is a stretch. Islam’s large. I’ve by no means seen Ilia in individual, he appears smaller. Clearly he can knock anybody out. I do suppose in the event that they combat, Ilia can knock anyone out from 145 to 170 [pounds].
“[Topuria] has the talents, the ability, the method however we’ve simply by no means seen him in there with someone that large and with that caliber of wrestling. However I feel he ought to defend to [155] title a couple of instances earlier than that’s talked about. We’ll see.”
Relating to Makhachev transferring to welterweight, Poirier doesn’t anticipate his former foe to battle a lot, particularly after seeing his measurement whereas nonetheless competing at 155 kilos.
That mentioned, Poirier isn’t simply counting out Della Maddalena from shutting him down and sending Makhachev packing in his try and turn into a two-division champion.
“He’s an enormous man, I feel he’s going to fill into that weight,” Poirier mentioned about Makhachev. “He’s a extremely large 155’er. So I feel his way of life outdoors of coaching camp goes to be slightly extra comfy and he’ll fill into that weight class no drawback. He may be champion there for certain.
“I feel the start of the combat’s going to inform the story. How effectively JDM does at getting up, how effectively JDM does at maintaining Islam off of his toes, off of his legs, off of the cage. It’s powerful to name that. As a result of JDM is an enormous man, athletic. I’m enthusiastic about that.”
