Ilia Topuria needs to make Final Combating Championship (UFC) historical past … by 2027?
UFC’s newly-minted Featherweight kingpin makes his highly-anticipated, first-ever title protection in opposition to Baddest Motherf—ker (BMF), Max Holloway, at UFC 308 this weekend (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024) from inside Etihad Enviornment on “Battle Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Whereas Topuria focuses on this weekend’s extremely powerful 145-pound battle in opposition to “Blessed,” the undefeated fighter has his eyes set on UFC historical past. Certainly, UFC on TNT Sports activities requested Topuria earier right now (Tues., Oct. 22, 2024) what he thinks he’ll obtain in three years’ time.
“In all probability a three-weight champion,” Topuria stated. “Yeah, that is my purpose. You are not going to see me within the Welterweight division like this: skinny. You are going to see my completely different.
“That is the purpose,” he added. “Transfer as much as the Light-weight division, get that belt, after which transfer as much as the Welterweight division.”
An countless quantity of fighters have claimed that they would be the ones to win three belts, from Raul Rosas Jr. to Tresean Gore (bear in mind him) to Israel Adesanya; nevertheless, none have accomplished it … but.
To be actual, there is just one fighter who has an actual probability of reaching it sooner moderately than later: present Mild Heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, who has claimed the Middleweight title and is barely lacking the Heavyweight belt.
After all, there are outliers like Islam Makhachev, who has all the expertise on the planet and may solely want a chance to acquire a number of belts. As well as, Conor McGregor — who seemingly may by no means battle once more — is UFC’s golden goose and may get a title shot in a 3rd division coming off 405,935 losses if want be.
That’s known as “privilege.”
Nonetheless, who is aware of the place Topuria falls into all or any of those buckets, but when he does decimate Holloway as he predicts, the trail to UFC historical past may come quickly.
Put on a helmet.
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