Islam Makhachev had so much to say through the UFC 317 pay-per-view (PPV) major card, dwell tweeting his ideas on the light-weight bout between Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano, in addition to the “loopy” flyweight showdown pitting champion Alexandre Pantoja towards Kai Kara-France.
Each Dariush and Pantoja prevailed.
However when it got here time for Ilia Topuria to battle Charles Oliveira for the light-weight title that Makhachev vacated in his transfer to 170 kilos, the promotion’s prime pound-for-pound fighter went silent on social media and has but to acknowledge the gorgeous efficiency from “El Matador.”
As an alternative, longtime coach, Javier Mendez, did all of the speaking.
“I see Justin Gaethje doubtlessly giving [Topuria] some issues,” Mendez informed Submission Radio. “Arman Tsarukyan can be the one which, in my view, may give him essentially the most issues as a result of Arman’s not going to face with him. Arman’s going to make it a grappling warfare, so it’s going to be a warfare of attrition.”
It seems neither Gaethje nor Tsarukyan can be getting the subsequent title shot.
“Can Ilia survive the continual floor assault that Arman’s going to placed on him? That might be the take a look at,” Mendez continued. “Can he do this? I don’t know. Perhaps he can. Look what he did to Charles. Charles got here in for the takedown, he freaking switched it on him in midair. That was very spectacular.”
The victory gave the undefeated Topuria (17-0) a second title in as many weight lessons.
Makhachev (27-1) is unlikely to make his return to 155 kilos until he fails in his quest to defeat Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. No phrase but from matchmakers on when that battle will change into official, however late 2025 at one of many promotion’s abroad battle playing cards appears doubtless.
