UFC and ESPN analyst Din Thomas was shocked by Ilia Topuria’s choice to vacate the featherweight title.
Working his means up the ranks with an undefeated file, ‘El Matador’ launched himself from contender to famous person in 2024 with a title-winning efficiency in opposition to Alexander Volkanovksi adopted by a powerful third-round knockout of division staple Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway at UFC 308 in October.
However simply when it regarded like Topuria was on the cusp of changing into the perfect ever at 145, he pulled the rug out from beneath his featherweight run.
As introduced by Dana White final month, Topuria opted to vacate his featherweight gold in hopes of conquering one other weight class. The UFC CEO additionally revealed that Topuria had been scuffling with the minimize right down to 145, prompting his bounce as much as light-weight.
Nevertheless, Thomas isn’t essentially shopping for these excuses for Topuria’s sudden choice to stroll away from the division he’s referred to as dwelling all through his complete UFC run.
“It’s wild to me that he’s giving this up now,” Thomas informed MMA Junkie. “There’s no means a man offers up pay-per-view factors and his standing as UFC champion, this quickly, for no obvious cause, and no actual cause aside from he can’t make the load. I don’t essentially purchase that. He’s a younger man. It could be uncomfortable for him to make the load, however I don’t essentially consider that he can’t make the load.
“But when he needs to go up? Let him go up, but it surely comes from a spot of simply, that Jon Jones stage of confidence, and perhaps a little bit of delusion that it’s a must to should be an excellent fighter. However to suppose that you’re simply going to surrender the belt, and ‘No downside, I’ll simply go get it at light-weight,’ is such a wild means, such a loopy, delusional mind-set.”
Thomas Excited to See how far Ilia Topuria can go
Although Thomas nonetheless has his reservations concerning simply how excessive Ilia Topuria can go within the UFC, he’s blissful to be alongside for the trip and is 100% on board with ‘El Matador’ getting a right away crack at light-weight king Islam Makhachev.
“As a way to be that good, it’s a must to be that delusional,” Thomas mentioned. “Jon Jones is that delusional, he simply doesn’t suppose he could be beat. You need to suppose that means. There are loads of guys that suppose that means, however they’re not that good. To suppose that means and in addition be that good is loopy. However Ilia Topuria is that good.
“He thinks that means. However we’re residing in wild instances. We could also be anyone particular. I don’t need to say he’s not simply but. If he’s that dude, I’m glad to be part of it. However I nonetheless have my reservations on that thought, as a result of not many individuals are that good and are that delusional on the identical time.”
