Ilia Topuria has been told not to be too comfortable on the pound-for-pound throne of the UFC.
Topuria continued his rapid climb to the legendary status on the largest stage of MMA in the UFC 317-Pay-per-View last Saturday in Las Vegas.
Closing international fighting week in the main event, Topuria Charles Oliveira took out to win the empty lightweight title and to succeed Islam Makhachev in the weight class.
In addition to making 'El Matador' the newest two-division UFC champion, that result also placed the Pound-for-Pond Kroon in possession of the Spaniard for the first time.
But Daniel Cormier thinks that may be short -lived.
Daniel Cormier justifies the placement of Islam Makhachev again over Ilia Topuria after one win
During a recent episode of his 3 rounds on YouTube, Cormier debated a number of prominent MMA topics with fellow EX fighter Din Thomas. The revised P4P Picking Order was among them, and 'DC' imposed his attitude in the new position of Topuria at the top.
“He is the number one pound-for-pound hunter today,” said Cormier. “But if Islam can beat Jack della Maddalena, it turns again and Islam returns to number one.”
Makhachev has left the UFC light weight title for its own pursuit of multi-weight glory. His chance to achieve the performance against new Welterweight King della Maddalena is expected to come later this year.
“Only because of this (his) fighting style will it be proven that it is going to the next weight class,” Cormier added. “Islam will have done everything that Topuria has done with a heavier weight. Four title defense on 155 and then the new champion at Welterweight.
“So yes, I agree, he (Topuria) today is pound-for-pound number one. But I think the moment can win Islam, he goes back to number one of the pounds.”
The manager of Islam Makhacheve rejected the P4P status of Ilia Topuria after UFC 317
Makhachev does not yet have to comment on the lightweight crown of Topuria or climb past him along the P4P ladder. However, his manager did that.
In a post on X, Ali Abdelaziz caused a commotion by rejecting 'El Matador' as the rightful P4P king and insisting that the most important status should still be up to its hunter.
“Taking nothing away from Ilia and he is one of the best talents we have seen in a long time,” wrote Abdelaziz.
“I just think that the 15 fight strip of Islam in the UFC and he ends 9 of his last 10 fights makes him the number 1 pound for pound hunters.”