Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight title to completely transfer to the light-weight division, however there’s no assure he’s going to get a shot at gold in his return to 155 kilos.
For the reason that announcement was made that Topuria was relocating to a brand new weight class, UFC CEO Dana White has said a number of occasions that his subsequent struggle hasn’t been determined but, and he could not find yourself going through light-weight champion Islam Makhachev subsequent. Ever since Topuria known as for that chance, Makhachev has scoffed on the thought as a result of he already beat former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski on two totally different events, and he wasn’t all that occupied with including a 3rd 145-pounder to his resume.
For his half, UFC legend Matt Brown understands Makhachev’s disinterest within the struggle, particularly if Topuria is leaping proper right into a title shot in his new division.
“If I’m Islam, I don’t take that struggle,” Brown mentioned on The Fighter vs. The Author. “I don’t attempt to make that struggle occur. I completely agree with what he mentioned. ‘I don’t have to struggle one other blown up 145-pounder.’”
“He already did that, too [with the Alexander Volkanovski fights]. I heard Islam had mentioned that, I don’t have to struggle one other blown up 145’er. I feel he’s received an amazing level there. What Ilia has achieved, I really feel like he has earned to struggle for a title in principally each division, too although, however I agree let him struggle one and earn his solution to the title.”
This previous weekend, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that it was Topuria’s thought to relinquish his title as a result of he didn’t need to endure one other tough weight reduce all the way down to 145 kilos however he additionally wished to permit the division to maneuver ahead somewhat than holding it up in his absence.
As a champion, maybe Topuria may have leveraged his method into a direct title shot however Brown says placing him up towards one other prime light-weight like Arman Tsarukyan or Charles Oliveira would solely increase his stick if he wins.
“Who’s he struggle? That’s thrilling,” Brown mentioned about Topuria’s subsequent transfer. “You talked about Charles Oliveira like f*ck yeah! Who else is on the market for him to struggle? Arman? That’s thrilling as hell. That’s type of a take a look at to see if he may compete with Islam. Stylistically a variety of similarities there. That’s a superb one, too. Charles, that excited me. Charles is at all times enjoyable to observe.
“I really feel like anyone attempting to get the 155 title has to undergo Charles. He’s simply that man. He’s been a title holder additionally but it surely’s such as you need to get there, you higher be capable of beat this man.”
Permitting Topuria to earn his title shot by going by one other prime ranked light-weight not solely appeals to Makhachev however Brown seems like that may additionally give the now former featherweight champion the chance to show he can grasp with larger, stronger competitors.
At 5-foot-7, Topuria isn’t the largest fighter for the light-weight division, which is without doubt one of the causes Brown was truly shocked to listen to him say he was achieved competing at 145 kilos.
“Simply my first thought after I heard it was like he’s fairly small for 155,” Brown mentioned about Topuria. “He wasn’t massive for 145. I used to be shocked he mentioned he had a tough time making that weight.
“I’ve solely seen him on TV, I haven’t seen him in particular person or something however he says he likes to drink wine when he cuts weight. Perhaps that’s why you’re not making weight, buddy. Cease consuming wine, drink some f*cking water, bro.”
All jokes apart, Brown says the choice ought to actually come all the way down to Makhachev, and he’s earned the appropriate to favor one challenger over one other, particularly as he continues constructing his personal legacy within the sport.
That will not sit nicely with Topuria or followers clamoring for a superfight, however Brown already understands how the narrative will paint Makhachev if he goes out and beats one other featherweight simply leaping up for a title shot within the light-weight division.
“It’s extra from Islam’s aspect it doesn’t make sense,” Brown mentioned. “For Ilia, he beat Max [Holloway] and [Volkanovski]. He form of earned his solution to any title shot however for Islam, it is mindless. I get either side and Islam’s the champ so you need to must get a struggle to go struggle him.”
