As we know, Ilia Topuria is currently on top of the world when it comes to his career. Although his future is uncertain due to some personal issues he is going through, no one can deny the results he has achieved while being active in the cage.
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Of course, there are plenty of fighters who want to face him, but Topuria will take his time and return when he is ready. We can all see that he’s on an insanely positive trajectory, but to reach that next level of superstardom, there’s a chance he’ll have to do something big – like pursue an incredible third world title in the UFC.
In a recent interview, Jorge Masvidal gave his opinion on Topuria’s potential.
Masvidal’s vision for the future of Topuria
“No one has ever won three belts, and as it stands now, it’s an uphill battle for Ilia to move up to 170 and beat Makhachev,” Masvidal said on his ‘Death Row MMA’ podcast. “If he does that, you can’t argue that he’s not the Michael Jordan, that he’s not above everyone: Jon Jones, GSP, like you have to put him in his own category of greatness, and no one can say anything about it.
“You just have to sit there and say, ‘Yes, he did it, and that’s crazy.’ If you fight Volkanovski in his prime and you finish him, if you fight Max Holloway in his prime and you finish him, and then you go up there and you finish Charles Oliveira, you’re like, damn, who is this mythological figure?
“Now you’re talking about him going to 170 and beating the No. 1 pound-for-pound guy in the entire sport who’s been at it for four or five years and crushing everyone. He just crushes the biggest names and takes them into a black hole and subdues them.”
“Ilia will get that done, put that guy in his own place. Every head in this sport will be turning, every fighter. No matter how much they hate Ilia, yeah, Ilia is the damn truth, because he is the complete opposite fighter to beat someone like Ilia, Makhachev. That’s the type of guy you need to beat Ilia, someone who can just keep it on the mat, because if you stay on your feet with this guy, your time is limited.”
Quotes via MMA junkie
Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
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