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Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Arman Tsarukyan is a harder fight for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria.
Lightweight champion Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) was scheduled to run things back with Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in January, before Tsarukyan withdrew the day before due to a back injury. Makhachev faced Renato Moicano instead, submitting him in the first round to notch a lightweight division-record four title defenses.
UFC CEO Dana White has no intention of immediately rebooking Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan, leaving the champion without a current challenger. Numerous fighters, including Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), are vying for a shot at Makhachev, but Nurmagomedov doesn't see the former UFC featherweight champion being as stern of a test as Tsarukyan.
"My personal opinion, not necessarily (more) dangerous, let's say more competitive, I think it's Tsarukyan," Nurmagomedov said in a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev. "I think Arman is a more serious fighter than Topuria. Topuria is a good fighter at 145, but we haven't seen him at 155. I believe Arman is more competitive for Islam than Topuria."
Nurmagomedov explains why he wants to see Topuria earn his shot at Makhachev after Makhachev notched two title defenses against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. He is tired of people putting asterisks next to Makhachev's wins.
"I don't know what kind of agreements Topuria and the UFC had, but from Islam's side, he already gave two title shots to 145-pound champions," Nurmagomedov said. "Both times Islam won. Now a third time – OK, let’s imagine Topuria moves up and gets a title shot right away, Islam beats him. Then Topuria fights again, he loses again, so basically he was a nobody at 155. Islam beat a guy who was a nobody at 155. Because of that, in terms of legacy for Islam, for his resume, I understand Islam's risks, too. That’s why Islam says let him fight, let him become a real contender. Islam will fight anyone. Islam himself said, 'I will fight any fighter.' But every time with Islam, OK, once, twice, now a third time they’re giving him a 145 champion moving up to 155.
"Come on now. Islam also deserves a say in this. He’s the best fighter, and he fought the 145 champ (Volkanovski). He flew to him. He went to Australia to fight him in his backyard, fought him at home. That's why we, as a team, believe Topuria is a worthy fighter. He is a champion, he defended the belt, beat very serious guys. You see all the guys at 145, even Holloway, whom he beat, when he moved up to 155, he did nothing. Islam doesn't have much time left either. If you think about it, Islam will be 34 soon. So, Islam doesn't want to fight Topuria or Volkanovski or someone stepping in on short notice like Moicano. Islam wants to fight big names who really deserve it, guys who have been in the 155 division for a long time. We have nothing personal here, but if you’re moving up a weight class, earn it. That’s more or less our stance.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Khabib: UFC lightweight 'more competitive' than Ilia Topuria
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Lightweight champion Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) was scheduled to run things back with Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in January, before Tsarukyan withdrew the day before due to a back injury. Makhachev faced Renato Moicano instead, submitting him in the first round to notch a lightweight division-record four title defenses.
UFC CEO Dana White has no intention of immediately rebooking Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan, leaving the champion without a current challenger. Numerous fighters, including Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), are vying for a shot at Makhachev, but Nurmagomedov doesn't see the former UFC featherweight champion being as stern of a test as Tsarukyan.
"My personal opinion, not necessarily (more) dangerous, let's say more competitive, I think it's Tsarukyan," Nurmagomedov said in a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev. "I think Arman is a more serious fighter than Topuria. Topuria is a good fighter at 145, but we haven't seen him at 155. I believe Arman is more competitive for Islam than Topuria."
Nurmagomedov explains why he wants to see Topuria earn his shot at Makhachev after Makhachev notched two title defenses against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. He is tired of people putting asterisks next to Makhachev's wins.
"I don't know what kind of agreements Topuria and the UFC had, but from Islam's side, he already gave two title shots to 145-pound champions," Nurmagomedov said. "Both times Islam won. Now a third time – OK, let’s imagine Topuria moves up and gets a title shot right away, Islam beats him. Then Topuria fights again, he loses again, so basically he was a nobody at 155. Islam beat a guy who was a nobody at 155. Because of that, in terms of legacy for Islam, for his resume, I understand Islam's risks, too. That’s why Islam says let him fight, let him become a real contender. Islam will fight anyone. Islam himself said, 'I will fight any fighter.' But every time with Islam, OK, once, twice, now a third time they’re giving him a 145 champion moving up to 155.
"Come on now. Islam also deserves a say in this. He’s the best fighter, and he fought the 145 champ (Volkanovski). He flew to him. He went to Australia to fight him in his backyard, fought him at home. That's why we, as a team, believe Topuria is a worthy fighter. He is a champion, he defended the belt, beat very serious guys. You see all the guys at 145, even Holloway, whom he beat, when he moved up to 155, he did nothing. Islam doesn't have much time left either. If you think about it, Islam will be 34 soon. So, Islam doesn't want to fight Topuria or Volkanovski or someone stepping in on short notice like Moicano. Islam wants to fight big names who really deserve it, guys who have been in the 155 division for a long time. We have nothing personal here, but if you’re moving up a weight class, earn it. That’s more or less our stance.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Khabib: UFC lightweight 'more competitive' than Ilia Topuria
Continue reading...
