October 31, 2024 1:50 pm ET
Ilia Topuria and his group have had one of many best years in MMA historical past. That doesn’t imply they’re accomplished chasing glory.
Following a powerful title protection at Saturday’s UFC 308 the place Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) turned the first person to knockout Max Holloway, his head coach Jorge Climent desires him to take one other leap in his preventing profession.
For Climent, this implies going up a weight class and difficult UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev, who’s thought-about by many because the pound-for-pound greatest.
“The battle that I believe would put Ilia on the very high with none dialogue that he’s the most effective fighter on this planet could be towards Islam Makhachev,” Climent told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “The battle is towards 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, until you’re a Conor (McGregor). So I do suppose they’re going to offer it to (Alexander) Volkanovski (subsequent).” Climent sees Volkanovski as the subsequent seemingly 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 check, however nonetheless with a transparent path to victory.
“It’s our hardest battle,” Climent stated. “Nonetheless, after seeing how a lot success Volkanovski had towards him the primary battle, in fact (we) see a possibility. That is the hardest battle, indisputably, however I prefer it.”
Many notable fighters known as out Topuria following his historic title protection towards Holloway, a sign to Climent that Topuria is shortly turning into one of the crucial necessary names within the sport.
“Paddy ‘The P*ssy’ made some feedback. Dustin Poirier known as him out. Meaning Ilia is doing massive issues as a result of that solely occurs if you’re really doing massive issues,” Climent stated. “Everybody that wishes a highlight is asking him out, Conor and others. I nonetheless suppose the most effective battle is towards (Makhachev) and the most important cash battle is towards Conor, which I see a bit unlikely.”
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