"Jiu-jitsu vs. Sambo" - Analyst weighs in on Ilia Topuria's chances of submitting Islam Makhachev
Ilia Topuria seems to be itching to dethrone Islam Makhachev from the pound-for-pound top spot. He wants to do it in style, by submitting the Dagestani. A popular analyst believes 'El Matador's' dreams may not be out of the realm of possibility.
Earlier this month, Topuria revealed his lightweight ambitions, claiming that he's campaigning for a lightweight move next year. The Georgian-born Spaniard is planning to make the move in true Conor McGregor-esque fashion, retaining his featherweight title during his rally for double champion glory.
Topuria is one of the greatest standup threats in the UFC. In his last two outings, he claimed knockout wins over promotional legends Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
Many believe Makhachev would have a hard time on the feet against the 145-pound champion. Interestingly, however, Topuria has other plans in mind. In the lead-up to the Holloway fight, 'El Matador' revealed his ambitions to be the first man to submit the proficient grappler.
Few in MMA can match up to the lightweight champion in straight submission grappling. However, MMA analyst Luke Thomas believes Topuria won't have to play grappling tit-for-tat with the sambo maestro to submit him.
Elaborating on the topic, Thomas said:
"You know straight-up submission grappling, do I think Ilia can beat him? Probably not. But if the fight stays on the feet for any amount of time and Ilia piecing him up and hurting him, do I think he can submit him off of that? I absolutely think he can submit him off of that... It's MMA, it's not jiu-jitsu vs. jiu-jitsu or jiu-jitsu vs. Sambo."
Check out Luke Thomas' comments on Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria below (17:37):
Khabib Nurmagomedov on how Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria could happen
While Islam Makhachev has dismissed giving another 145-pounder a title shot, his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov believes there is one way 'El Matador' could earn his way to a championship matchup.
Talking to Henry Cejudo during a recent interview, 'The Eagle' gave a nonchalant reaction to Topuria's lightweight aspirations. As per him, the 27-year-old needs to prove himself against one of the 155-pound elites first:
"I think if he moves up and he beats somebody like Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira, he is next. Why not because there is nobody... Without fighting [a top contender] in 155 pounds [first], no. I don't agree... Why Islam has to give three times chance for 145-pound champion."
Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov's comments on Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria below: