Daniel Cormier believes that Ilia Topuria is ready to go right into the title fight. He claimed this after seeing the young fighter’s amazing performance at the UFC on ABC 5 headliner.
Does El Matador have what it takes to compete for a title shot? Is Daniel making big claims based on the outcomes of just one fight? Continue reading to find out!
Last Saturday’s UFC on ABC 5 main event featured a dominant decision victory for Topuria. He seriously injured former interim championship contender Josh Emmett for five rounds with his repeated blows.
Following such an outstanding performance, Cormier believes Topuria’s decision to sit out until the title match between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 is reasonable.
Cormier stated to ESPN that he was fine with the fighter going straight into a title fight, as he was fully prepared. Cormier highlighted the fighter’s demonstrated conditioning throughout 25 minutes, his ability to compete in all areas and his dominant performance. He further stated that the fighter matched up well against all potential opponents, specifically mentioning the technical aspect of a potential fight against Yair Rodriguez. Additionally, Cormier mentioned the excitement of watching the fighter face the champion, Alexander Volkanovski, given their respective skill sets. Overall, Cormier expressed enthusiasm for the potential matchups.
Cormier stated that the fighter was young, around 25 or 26 years old. He also noted that Topuria didn’t have much fighting experience. According to Cormier, the only potentially negative aspect was the fighter’s absence from the fighter meetings due to weight cutting.
Cormier expressed that it would be unfair to harshly judge the fighter based on his performance during his first main event week. He observed that the fighter displayed calm and collected behavior both inside and outside the octagon. Cormier stated that Topuria’s behavior outside the octagon benefited his performance inside it. He described the fighter’s style as being highly defensive, strategically setting up his moves, and not wasting any opportunities. Cormier expressed his belief that the young fighter was truly exceptional and represented the evolution of mixed martial arts.
Topuria is a rising star in the world of mixed martial arts. At only 26 years old, he has already showcased tremendous potential and skill inside the cage. As he continues to gain experience and face tougher opponents, the future looks incredibly bright for him as he strives to leave a lasting impact on the sport.
Will Topuria prove Daniel Cormier right, or was this match one-time luck for the fighter? Be sure to let us know about your thoughts in the comment section!
