Unbeaten featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has been backed to probably grow to be the primary fighter in UFC historical past to scoop three championships in separate divisions by light-weight stalwart, Dustin Poirier, who claimed the streaking finisher is a legit risk to present champion, Islam Makhachev.
Topuria, the present undisputed featherweight champion, efficiently defended his crown for the primary time again in October at UFC 308, headlining the promotion’s return to Abu Dhabi in a title grudge match with former champion and present symbolic BMF titleholder, Max Holloway.
And turning into the primary man to complete the Hawaiian veteran with strikes in combined martial arts competitors, Georgian-Spaniard megastar, Ilia Topuria instantly welcomed the prospect to compete for spoils a division larger on the light-weight restrict.
Dustin Poirier wanting to see Ilia Topuria problem Islam Makhachev
Linked closely in latest weeks specifically with an imminent title cost at 155lbs in opposition to present pound-for-pound primary, Makhachev, featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuria has what it takes to make potential shockwaves as excessive as welterweight — in accordance with ex-interim titleholder, Poirier.
“There’s still guys at 145 pounds for (Ilia) Topuria to fight,” Dustin Poirier instructed The Schmo throughout a latest interview. “I’ve by no means seen Topuria in individual, but when he could make 145 [he should stay there]. Islam (Makhachev) is an enormous man. I believe he’s going to be rather a lot greater than Topuria.
“But, that being said, Topuria is an assassin,” Dustin Poirier defined. “I believe he could knock out anybody from 145 pounds to 170 pounds.”
Himself taking up Russian celebrity, Makhachev in the summertime of final yr within the headliner of UFC 302 in New Jersey, Poirier compelled the previous to the fifth spherical of their title pairing — struggling an eventual fifth spherical D’Arce choke submission loss in his third undisputed title cost within the promotion.
Most just lately headlining UFC 311 in an impromptu title combat with short-notice alternative, Renato Moicano final month, Makhachev turned in his fourth consecutive defence of the 155lbs crown with a gap D’Arce choke for one more submission stoppage win.
