GDT: UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway

[16Skippy]

Where on the calendar can this happen around Khamzat's unique travel availabilities?

The UFC planned events I can see only go up to Feb 9, which is a PPV in Australia. Not sure if he's allowed there or not? Also read that DDP wants to fight him in Feb so that should work if he can actually get there.

 

[MMC]

Let's just say I wouldn't be shocked if all of a sudden getting a visa was much easier for Khamzat if a certain election next week goes a particular way

 

[pistolpete11]

I've heard this a lot lately but I think featherweight is so good that a lot of the new talent in that division is getting overlooked. Lopes has the ability beat anyone at any time. Arnold Allen is really well rounded. Evloev is a decision machine who beat both those guys.

Would love to see Evloev vs Topuria first, two undefeated guys. Title fight to take a 0.

Topuria just dusted 2 of the best FW of all time, beating them at their own game. He's submitted a good grappler like Mitchell. He's avoided big power like Emmett and eaten big shots (up a weight class) from Herbert. He's in his prime at 27. He only has 2 decision wins, his UFC debut and when he absolutely battered Emmett.

Allen is a good fighter, but he got out boxed by Max pretty handedly. He doesn't have much power. He only has 2 (T)KO in the UFC and one was a knee injury against Kattar.

Lopez is a good grappler and has some power, but I think his striking is too rudimentary at the elite level and submissions at that level are also pretty rare nowadays, especially for someone who can grappler like Topuria.

Evloev pretty much relies entirely on takedowns and control and Topuia has a 92% TDD. Evloev not being able to finish him is playing with fire, too. As we've seen, Topuria's power is no joke. Evloev would have to basically be perfect for 5 rounds. Tall task.

It's MMA. Anything can happen, but any of these guys would be pretty big underdogs IMO. Plus, sounds like Volk is next anyway.

 

[I am not exposed]

Topuria just dusted 2 of the best FW of all time, beating them at their own game. He's submitted a good grappler like Mitchell. He's avoided big power like Emmett and eaten big shots (up a weight class) from Herbert. He's in his prime at 27. He only has 2 decision wins, his UFC debut and when he absolutely battered Emmett.

Allen is a good fighter, but he got out boxed by Max pretty handedly. He doesn't have much power. He only has 2 (T)KO in the UFC and one was a knee injury against Kattar.

Lopez is a good grappler and has some power, but I think his striking is too rudimentary at the elite level and submissions at that level are also pretty rare nowadays, especially for someone who can grappler like Topuria.

Evloev pretty much relies entirely on takedowns and control and Topuia has a 92% TDD. Evloev not being able to finish him is playing with fire, too. As we've seen, Topuria's power is no joke. Evloev would have to basically be perfect for 5 rounds. Tall task.

It's MMA. Anything can happen, but any of these guys would be pretty big underdogs IMO. Plus, sounds like Volk is next anyway.

Couldn't have said it better myself when summing up those potential fighters for Topuria.

 

[bov]

I don't necessarily favor any of the contenders over Topuria, but at least there is no shortage of worthy challengers. Volkanovski II, Evloev/Sterling winner, Lopes, Lerone Murphy (if he wins another 1 or 2). Unlike other divisions where it seems like the same names over & over, 145 has some nice options.

 

[I am not exposed]

I don't necessarily favor any of the contenders over Topuria, but at least there is no shortage of worthy challengers. Volkanovski II, Evloev/Sterling winner, Lopes, Lerone Murphy (if he wins another 1 or 2). Unlike other divisions where it seems like the same names over & over, 145 has some nice options.

They all just seem like a tier below Topuria imo. The most well rounded one in Volk got knocked out against him in his last fight. And got knocked out in his previous fight. We shall see how the rematch goes. Will be rooting for Volk.

 

[bov]

If Volkanovski is truly at his best, I'd call it a 50/50 fight, maybe even lean towards Volk. But that's a big if, considering his last couple years. Avenging that loss would solidify him as the 145 goat.

 

[Taytro]

Topuria just dusted 2 of the best FW of all time, beating them at their own game. He's submitted a good grappler like Mitchell. He's avoided big power like Emmett and eaten big shots (up a weight class) from Herbert. He's in his prime at 27. He only has 2 decision wins, his UFC debut and when he absolutely battered Emmett.

Allen is a good fighter, but he got out boxed by Max pretty handedly. He doesn't have much power. He only has 2 (T)KO in the UFC and one was a knee injury against Kattar.

Lopez is a good grappler and has some power, but I think his striking is too rudimentary at the elite level and submissions at that level are also pretty rare nowadays, especially for someone who can grappler like Topuria.

Evloev pretty much relies entirely on takedowns and control and Topuia has a 92% TDD. Evloev not being able to finish him is playing with fire, too. As we've seen, Topuria's power is no joke. Evloev would have to basically be perfect for 5 rounds. Tall task.

It's MMA. Anything can happen, but any of these guys would be pretty big underdogs IMO. Plus, sounds like Volk is next anyway.

I think it's underestimating the up and comers in that division. Topuria has been able to use power to get him out of sticky situations (Jai Herbert) and get him wins which is fantastic and exciting but I think there's still a lot to still learn about him. Fun division because there's a new champ and a lot of new/first time challengers at the top of the division.

 

[16Skippy]

Topuria just dusted 2 of the best FW of all time, beating them at their own game. He's submitted a good grappler like Mitchell. He's avoided big power like Emmett and eaten big shots (up a weight class) from Herbert. He's in his prime at 27. He only has 2 decision wins, his UFC debut and when he absolutely battered Emmett.

Allen is a good fighter, but he got out boxed by Max pretty handedly. He doesn't have much power. He only has 2 (T)KO in the UFC and one was a knee injury against Kattar.

Lopez is a good grappler and has some power, but I think his striking is too rudimentary at the elite level and submissions at that level are also pretty rare nowadays, especially for someone who can grappler like Topuria.

Evloev pretty much relies entirely on takedowns and control and Topuia has a 92% TDD. Evloev not being able to finish him is playing with fire, too. As we've seen, Topuria's power is no joke. Evloev would have to basically be perfect for 5 rounds. Tall task.

It's MMA. Anything can happen, but any of these guys would be pretty big underdogs IMO. Plus, sounds like Volk is next anyway.

I don't disagree with any of that but I'd rather see some of those matches play out instead of shoehorning rematches and superfights already.

 

[pistolpete11]

I think it's underestimating the up and comers in that division. Topuria has been able to use power to get him out of sticky situations (Jai Herbert) and get him wins which is fantastic and exciting but I think there's still a lot to still learn about him. Fun division because there's a new champ and a lot of new/first time challengers at the top of the division.

I think it's underestimating how good Topuria is.

Guess we'll see.

I don't disagree with any of that but I'd rather see some of those matches play out instead of shoehorning rematches and superfights already.

The point I was making is that Topuria's not gonna lose, so it's unlikely that Max will be given another title shot without climbing the mountain again. At his age, 2 years to re-earn a title shot seems unlikely.

If somebody (except Volk) beats him, I think Max could sneak into a title shot sooner rather than later. I just think that's unlikely.

They can, and should, give Topuria these guys. I just think he beats them all.

 

[bov]

Forgot about Jean Silva too. If he can make 145 consistently, he's a couple wins away from being a valid option.

 

[I am not exposed]

Forgot about Jean Silva too. If he can make 145 consistently, he's a couple wins away from being a valid option.

Yeah that guy has some power as well!