Ilia Topuria is discussed the greatest of all time after its thunderous UFC 317 Knockout.
After a short but destructive stint on the featherweight throne, Topuria chose to drop that title and to strive for success in the division above.
The return of the Spaniard to lightweight came to the main event of UFC 317 last Saturday, where Topuria Charles Oliveira eliminated to become the successor to Islam Makhachev on 155 pounds.
Many have since assessed how 'El Matador' would stack against another man who won both the featherweight and lightweight titles, Conor McGregor.
However, the newest breakdown was aimed at a different fantasy matchup.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Laura Sanko assesses Prime Ilia Topuria vs Prime Khabib Nurmagomedov Fantasy Fight
During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, the former Jager-UFC color commentator and analyst Laura Sanko were asked how she thinks Topuria would have done it against the consensus goat of his new weight class.
Although Sanko admitted that she did not see enough of Topuria on the ground to suggest that he could resist the attack of Khabib Nurmagomedov there, she could also foreseen that the Spaniard was the first to choose the first KO the 29-0 ex-camp.
“Boxing of Ilia is far too dangerous,” said Sanko. “I think the only path for Khabib to beat someone like Ilia in this hypothetical with which we run here would of course be on the spot.
“We still have to see that Ilia's ground game has been tested against the elite of the elite. Of course he just fought against Charles Oliveira, who is the biggest submission artist of all time. I just say that the fight did not last long enough … he was tested on the ground for what, 45 seconds?
“I don't know that we know enough about Ilia's Get-Up Game. There were a few moments in the Bryce Mitchell fight when Bryce was at the top and Ilia was a bit strengthened.
“So that's the only way to the victory I could see for Khabib,” Sanko added. “I also saw Khabib shoot from an unclear distance and being switched off.”
Ilia Topuria will not chase the protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov – for now
Although that fight will remain in the field of fantasy almost five years ago because of Nurmagomedov's pension, Topuria could eventually fight against someone who is similar.
After leaving his featherweight title, Topuria focused his sights on Makhachev, De Vriend and Protégé van Nurmagomedov. That fight did not come to lightweight because of the decision of the Dagestani to chase a two-division itself.
Despite the fact that 'El Matador' strikes a history of a history of a history crown, Topuria has for the time being agreed to the request of the UFC to stay in place.
“I thought about it, but the last conversation I had with the UFC, they personally asked me the favor:” Do not tell us after the fight that you want to move to the Welterweight Division. Make us a promise, “Topuria revealed on the UFCs about the last fight show.
But whether that promise will remain too long, especially if Makhachev itself becomes a two -division champion, it is still to be seen.
“I had something like that:” Ah, I promise, “Topuria added, crossing jokes over his fingers.