Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t consider Ilia Topuria is one of the best lightweight within the UFC today.
Earlier this yr, Islam Makhachev vacated the 155lb title to pursue glory within the welterweight division.
Ilia Topuria viciously knocked out Charles Oliveira to turn into the brand new lightweight king in his absence at UFC 317 in June.
Nonetheless, ‘El Matador’ hasn’t done enough to persuade Khabib Nurmagomedov he’s the rightful heir to his teammate’s throne.
Khabib Nurmagomedov names the UFC’s best lightweight
Khabib Nurmagomedov was recently asked his thoughts on a possible title fight between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan.
The Armenian star is ranked #1 at lightweight after putting together a 9-2 run contained in the Octagon.
In a just world, he’ll get the following 155lb title shot. Nonetheless, UFC CEO Dana White insists Tsarukyan must fight his way back into contention after withdrawing 24 hours before he was meant to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January.
Regardless, Nurmagomedov insists Tsarukyan will almost actually dethrone Topuria in the event that they fight.
“I don’t see Topuria having a likelihood,” the 29-0 Russian legend told Kamil Gadzhiyev.
“Arman fights too well at range against strikers. He keeps the gap well, works higher along with his kicks. And now Arman has improved so much. He has footage that he can study and analyse. In the event that they fought three years ago, possibly he wouldn’t have been as cautious. But now, you possibly can clearly see what dangers Topuria brings.
“I consider immediately, one of the best lightweight is Tsarukyan. Arman can take people down, he has good elbows on the bottom. Superb elbows. He can grapple, submit, take the back.
“I’d say it’s 80%-20% in Arman’s favor. His wrestling, his pressure, his physicality. All of it matters. He’s taller by 10 centimetres, if I’m not mistaken. He’s heavier, and on fight night, he’ll be the larger man. And naturally, wrestling at all times plays an enormous role, especially fights like this.
“Everyone knows the extent of wrestling that Holloway and Charles Oliveira had. It’s practically non-existent. They’re strikers. They went forward and got caught. But a man who [wrestles], Topuria hasn’t faced that. Name at the least considered one of his opponents who uses even 20% wrestling. Not 50%, just 20%.
“It’s an interesting fight. I do know the UFC is cautious. They don’t need to throw him to Topuria too quickly. Without delay, Topuria is a much bigger star than Arman. But when Arman gets an enormous win, where can they hide him? They won’t have the opportunity to.”
Fans think Paddy Pimblett will get the following lightweight title shot
Paddy Pimblett is the lightweight division’s dark horse after slowly amassing a 7-0 UFC record.
In April, ‘The Baddy’ brutalized Michael Chandler en path to a third-round TKO win in the most important fight of his profession at UFC 314.
Pimblett has a long-running feud with Topuria that dates back to their infamous hotel brawl in March 2022.
Despite only being ranked #9 at lightweight, Pimblett was invited into the cage for an intense face-off with Topuria immediately after he won his second UFC belt in June.
Earlier this month, Pimblett received a surprise rankings boost as he moved as much as #7 without throwing a single punch.
UFC fans consider it is a sign that he’ll get the following crack at Topuria, but only time will tell if Pimblett will likely be allowed to leapfrog Tsarukyan and a bunch of other lightweight contenders.
