Ilia Topuria is critical about shifting as much as light-weight somewhat than sticking round at featherweight and defending his belt.
That’s in accordance with his coach Jorge Climent, who confirmed earlier feedback from “El Matador” that he wished to battle No. 1 contender Charles Oliveira to lock up a shot on the 155 pound belt. This isn’t simply an ego-driven push for a second belt, says Climent. Topuria merely can’t maintain making 145 kilos.
“The actual factor is he has minimize weight, he does quite a lot of occasions, and it’s very exhausting each time we do it,” Climent informed Submission Radio. “He don’t need to do that any extra. And that’s why I need to go as much as the subsequent weight class, as a result of he thinks his regular weight is in that weight class.”
“At first, Ilia was combating at 135 and he was younger,” he continued. “And your physique is altering, if you find yourself 20, you’ve gotten a physique. If you end up 25, you’ve gotten one other. And if you find yourself 30, you’ve gotten one other. And all the time, you might be muscular. We determined as a result of he needs to really feel higher. Typically I see Ilia at 185 kilos, and he must be 145. We do a really huge weight minimize.”
A transfer to light-weight means no rematch in opposition to Alexander Volkanovski. Group Topuria seems to have been informed that there’s no instant title battle at 155 ready for Ilia both, which can imply no double-champ state of affairs.
“I suppose if he goes to to a different weight class, the belt goes to be vacant,” Climent stated. “I don’t know what will occur if he don’t need to defend it. He left it to [UFC] on this manner … I don’t assume they give the chance to battle straight for the belt. However he needs to battle with the [top] rating guys to come back for the belt.”
Which means Charles Oliveira, however Climent stated they have been open to Dustin Poirier or every other high light-weight that would launch them right into a title battle with a win.
“I feel the, the very best alternative is battle with the primary high rating,” he stated. “But when that isn’t an choice, why not [Poirier]? I feel Ilia is ready to battle with all people who needs to battle in Might. And what future says, we settle for, as a result of we will go along with all people.”
What do you consider Topuria’s resolution to leap to light-weight, Maniacs? Tell us within the feedback under.
