Ilia Topuria: 'Even Khabib Nurmagomedov knows | MMA News
Former featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria moved up to the light-weight division to challenged for a second UFC divisional title but also to struggle then-champion Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev had the identical aspirations of changing into a two-division titleholder as Topuria and relinquished the 155-pound championship to transfer up to the 170-pound weight class. Topuria confronted former champion Charles Oliveira in the UFC 317 primary occasion with the vacant light-weight strap on the road.
Topuria knocked Oliveira out halfway through the opening spherical to be a part of the unique membership of fighters who have received UFC championships in two totally different divisions. Topuria still desires to struggle Makhachev but would not suppose Makhachev, or his workforce, desires the struggle.
“My real goal, always, was Islam. But since he decided to run away, it had to be Charles,” Topuria informed GWN Sports. “Listen, I think he (Makhachev) took a great decision. If the UFC would have offered him to fight Justin Gaethje, or another contender in the division, I think he would stay at 155.
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“But with me coming up, he was like, ‘I haven’t got to take this risk. I’m going to transfer up to the 170. I’m going to attempt to get one other belt.’ And that’s all because he knows I’m harmful. He knows that I’m going to put him sleep. Even Khabib [Nurmagomedov]. The only motive they do not need me to struggle against him is because they know that I’m going to beat him.”
Don’t confused the confidence of “El Matador” as cockiness. His unwavering self belief comes from knowing how hard he prepares in the gym.
“I do know what I’m ready to do inside that octagon. When I used to say this, they suppose that I’m cocky,” Topuria said. “In actuality, it is because I do know what I’m ready to do inside that octagon. I do know how skillful I’m. I do know how laborious I work for every struggle,:” he mentioned.
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