At first glance, Ilia Topuria seems like a pretty likable guy which he actually is. Because inside the Octagon, he’s nothing short of a supreme athlete. Since 2020, “El Matador” has been tearing through the featherweight division, beating some world-class fighters and striking fear into anyone who dares to stand across from him. Topuria has now moved to a completely new division(lightweight) which many think can be a problem for him. While he does have the power, the soon-to-be former featherweight champion lacks the size needed for the division feel many.
However, Jorge Masvidal has now put an end to all such claims. UFC welterweight legend Masvidal has trained with the Georgian-Spanish phenom during his early days. ‘Gamebred’ already knew the kind of ability he possessed and during one of his conversations on ‘The Jaxxon Podcast’ said, “So since I was, like, training with him, wrestling with him, I’m like, ‘Man, f**k, he hits like a 170 pounder and he’s 145.” There is no doubt that Ilia Topuria is blessed with some brutal knockout power which he has shown in the past. However, the big question is can he do it in his new division and become a dual champion? Masvidal thinks he definitely can.
Red Corner MMA shared a clip on their Instagram page where the 40-year-old made some serious claims. According to him, the 28-year-old hits harder than anyone in the division including the champion, Islam Makhachev. He said, “His power? He hits harder than Islam. I’m telling you. He hits harder than almost every 55 er because a lot of it’s genetic. But his technique is legit along with his genetics that God gave him.” Currently ‘El Matador’ is waiting for his fight and he has made it clear that he will only be fighting for the title and no one else. However, according to Masvidal if he fought anyone in the division, especially Justin Gaethje he will ‘flatline’ him.
The 40-year-old further added, “He could win the belt I’m telling you, and defend that belt. Like a guy like Gaethje that’s just won I think he would flatline Gaethje. He will put Gaethje in a coma. They don’t want to see him do that bro. They don’t want to see him end their poster boy Gaethje like that. Cause he will end Gaethje.” Well we all know Topuria has a history of backing his words with action and his ability to knock out people is just unusual. Even before making his debut, Topuria has claimed he can knock out the champion. Does he have the skill set to pull something like this? Well, former UFC champion Robbie Lawler feels he has.
Robbie Lawler points out why Ilia Topuria is a dangerous fighter
There are very few fighters in the UFC who have an all-round game like 28-year-old Ilia Topuria has. Not only is he an elite striker but has an exceptional ground game as well. However, it’s not the skill set that has impressed former UFC champion Robbie Lawler the most about ‘El Matador’. The 43-year-old feels it’s the way Topuria uses his skills in a fight which makes him a harder opponent to face. The entire conversation was shared by MMA Uncensored on their Instagram account when Lawler made an appearance on ‘The Jaxxon Podcast’.
While speaking to Bear Degidio the former champion had nothing but praise for the 16-0-0 fighter. He said, “I mean there’s obviously Topuria. Topuria is freaking really nasty. He has good hand speed. But he has options. A lot of times when you are fighting—I can do this if he does that, I do this. It’s just the technical side of it with his physicality. I think physicality plays a huge role. Because it wouldn’t matter if he had plan A, had plan B. If he does this if he couldn’t hurt somebody when you get to those spots. And that’s what he is able to do. He gets to his spots, you f..k up and he freaking makes you pay”. Well, Topuria has a tough task ahead of him in his new division. But just like old times, the 28-year-old is confident that he is destined to become a dual-division champion.
Can Ilia Topuria win a belt in his new division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post “He Will Put Gaethje in a Coma” – Jorge Masvidal Makes Huge Ilia Topuria Claim Undermining Islam Makhachev appeared first on EssentiallySports.
