Ilia Topuria and his staff have had one of many biggest years in MMA historical past. That doesn’t imply they’re performed chasing glory.
Following a formidable title protection at Saturday’s UFC 308 the place Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) turned the first individual to knockout Max Holloway, his head coach Jorge Climent needs him to take one other leap in his combating profession.
For Climent, this implies going up a weight class and difficult UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev, who’s thought of by many because the pound-for-pound finest.
“The struggle that I feel would put Ilia on the very prime with none dialogue that he’s the most effective fighter on this planet could be in opposition to Islam Makhachev,” Climent instructed MMA Junkie in Spanish. “The struggle is in opposition to Islam as a result of at this second he’s a defending champion. I do know Ilia has solely defended his belt as soon as and that may make it troublesome to get the chance, except you’re a Conor (McGregor). So I do suppose they’re going to provide it to (Alexander) Volkanovski (subsequent).”
Climent sees Volkanovski as the following possible possibility for his pupil. However given the results of their first assembly again in February, he doesn’t see the previous champ as the most important problem for Topuria.
Climent undoubtedly sees Makhachev as thee hardest take a look at, however nonetheless with a transparent path to victory.
“It’s our hardest struggle,” Climent mentioned. “Nonetheless, after seeing how a lot success Volkanovski had in opposition to him the primary struggle, in fact (we) see a possibility. That is the hardest struggle, surely, however I prefer it.”
Many notable fighters known as out Topuria following his historic title protection in opposition to Holloway, a sign to Climent that Topuria is rapidly changing into probably the most necessary names within the sport.
“Paddy ‘The P*ssy’ made some feedback. Dustin Poirier known as him out. Which means Ilia is doing massive issues as a result of that solely occurs whenever you’re actually doing massive issues,” Climent mentioned. “Everybody that wishes a highlight is looking him out, Conor and others. I nonetheless suppose the most effective struggle is in opposition to (Makhachev) and the most important cash struggle is in opposition to Conor, which I see a bit unlikely.”
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