Dominick Cruz knew who he would fight if he was in the shoes of Ilia Topuria.
The double UFC champion says that Topuria has three opponents to choose from in his first title defense after switching off Charles Oliveira on UFC 317.
After its lightweight title victory, the UFC broadcast posted to #1 Competier Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, all of whom have a different case for a title chances against Topuria.
On merit you could claim that Tsarukyan is ready, because he is 9-1 since he loses against Islam Makhachev in his UFC debut.
However, the UFC is not a good cause, it is a company and when it comes to moving the needle, Cruz says that someone else is to fight Topuria.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dominick Cruz: Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett 'is just logical'
Between Tsarukyan, Gaethje and Pimblett, Cruz has to go with 'Paddy the Baddy'.
Pimblett is already sharing a storyline with Topuria and faced the champion in the Octagon, to the great aversion to UFC boss Dana White.
Some fans claim that Pimblett does not earn a title fight because his last victory was Michael Chandler, who lost his last three fights.
“This thing is about salary at the same time,” said Cruz about who should fight the next Topuria on the Anik & Florian Podcast.
“We are price fighters. We are nothing else that we want to say. We are all these other things. We are price fighters. You have placed a price, we take the price. You win it or you lose it.
“Who is the biggest price? We all know the answer between those three,” said Cruz Pimblett.
“So if you are smart, if you take that fight, as the guy is the bag. Now, not to say that the other boys are not good, but the problem is Paddy, he is just that he promotes, he has a very big package.
“It's just logical to make the most money with that fight. But now with this new one [Paramount] Deal also comes forward, that changes the layout if you give who you are fighting. Are you just looking for the better, easier matchup? “Asked Cruz.
Dominick Cruz weighs on Paddy Pimblett's opportunities against Ilia Topuria
Cruz thinks Pimblett Topuria would give a more difficult fight than Justin Gaethje.
Gaethje is a hard -handed striker, with brutal legs that can destroy the boxing game of Topuria. In the meantime, Pimblett is quite well completed, but his world is struggling on the floor.
“I love paddy,” said Cruz between him and Gaethje who may fight Topuria.
“He is not what he was when he came in here. He has improved. He is better and I think people forget, such as fighting by fighting, you really improve when you get confidence …
“And he got the confidence. It's not like he got that [loss] That put him back a bit. Like, his confidence has grown. So he stays in the gym, he will train again. And when that trust grows, you are a difficult guy to beat. And he has that now.
“And Gaethje is the opposite. He has found his humanity,” said Cruz.