Ilia Topuria has one of the best boxing in MMA, so says Javier Mendez.
Over the previous few years, Topuria has ascended to being one of many high pound-for-pound fighters in MMA, totally on the again of his distinctive putting recreation. Final yr, Topuria grew to become the primary individual to cease Max Holloway with strikes, knocking him out in his first (and solely) featherweight title protection. Then, earlier this yr he stopped Charles Oliveira to assert the vacant light-weight title, changing into the primary undefeated fighter to win titles in a number of UFC weight lessons. And when speaking about potential methods to strategy a battle in opposition to Topuria, American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez, was filled with reward for the younger champion.
“Ilia Topuria, I’d say, with him, keep out of boxing vary, a million p.c,” Mendez the Know Time YouTube channel. “Keep out of boxing vary. He’s acquired one of the best boxing within the enterprise, in MMA. He’s acquired it a lot that he even thinks he can beat [Terence] Crawford. That’s how assured he’s in his boxing. His boxing is sweet. His boxing is actual good. Actual good. So he’s acquired one of the best boxing in MMA.”
Earlier than shifting as much as light-weight, Topuria courted a superfight with then-lightweight champion, and Mendez fighter, Islam Makhachev. As a substitute, Makhachev additionally moved as much as pursue his personal second title, although a possible superfight between the 2 stays on the forefront of many followers’ minds. And if that does find yourself taking place some day, Mendez has a number of concepts for learn how to strategy Topuria.
“You’d have to work your kicks, angles with him,” Mendez mentioned. “Knees. Muay Thai could be a very good specialty. However your large job is to maintain him away from you, and he’s acquired first rate wrestling. So he’s additionally acquired, from individuals I’ve spoken to that practice with him, he’s acquired first rate jiu-jitsu additionally. So he’s virtually the whole bundle, however he’s not. He lacks the kicking space.
“So the weakest hyperlink on him could be the kicking space. After which it’s important to take a look at your grappling on him to see if yours is healthier than his. We’ve but to see how nice it’s. It’s not nice, however we’ve but to see how good it truly is.”
Topuria has not fought since successful the light-weight title at UFC 317 in July, nonetheless, rumors abound that he’ll make the primary protection of his title early subsequent yr. Makhachev, in the meantime, will problem for the welterweight title at UFC 322 subsequent month.
