Ilya Topria spoke to members of the international media about Islam Makhachev’s future if he doesn’t win the welterweight title. When requested, “Which might you quite struggle, Islam after he loses or Tsarukyan after he wins?”, the champion answered: “If Islam loses, he’ll return to Dagestan and proceed farming and herding sheep. But when he wins, I’ll undoubtedly transfer up. A hundred percent.”
Ilya Topria has made it clear that she is going to comply with Islam it doesn’t matter what class she strikes to. I am assured, to say the least, that he is keen to step as much as win a 3rd belt. Already thought of one of many smaller fighters within the light-weight division, followers don’t have any purpose to doubt Ilya. He completed every thing he stated he would, and with fashion. A knockout artist who can submit even high-level grapplers, Puria is as spherical as they arrive.
That being stated, Islam Makhachev has confirmed himself to be a totally totally different beast. He submitted Charles Oliveira, probably the most submitted fighter in UFC historical past, with out breaking a sweat. Islam left the light-weight division as probably the most profitable champion of all time.
Islam Makhachev’s shot and superfight legacy
How does Islam Makhachev vs. Jacques Della Maddalena rank among the many UFC’s all-time superfights?
The primary main superfight between the reigning champions occurred at UFC 94 in 2009, when BJ Penn stepped as much as problem Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title. This was the primary time the present titleholders confronted off within the UFC. GSP retained the belt and dominated Penn, cementing his place as one of many greats within the sport.
Subsequent got here Conor McGregor’s historic run. After knocking out featherweight legend Jose Aldo, he moved up the load class and defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, turning into the primary fighter to carry two UFC titles on the similar time.
Amanda Nunes secured her place as the best feminine fighter in MMA historical past with a surprising first-round knockout of Cris Cyborg, incomes her second belt and turning into girls’s featherweight and bantamweight champion.
One other iconic showdown was when then-current gentle heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier confronted heavyweight titleholder Stipe Miocic. Cormier shocked the world along with his first-round knockout and joined the elite listing of double champions.
If Islam Makhachev defeats Jacques Della Maddalena to turn out to be a two-division champion, not solely will he be on par with these legends, however it is going to be probably the most stylistically fascinating superfights in current reminiscence. This may additionally make him the one fighter in UFC historical past to defeat a number of reigning champions in numerous weight lessons.
