The current world champion of the UFC lightweight division, Ilia Topuria, she is a very requested man at the moment.
Since he won the UFC lightweight vacant title by knocking Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June, Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) has been related to possible fights against Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje.
However, It was Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) who entered the octagon to face “the killer” immediately after that victory. Given the long rivalry of Pimblett with Topuria, former UFC Gallo weight champion Dominick Cruz believes that the British star could have an advantage in the race for the next opportunity for the title.
«This is about making money. We are professional fighters»Cruz said this week at the Anik & Florian podcast. «We are nothing more. We want to say that we are many other things. We are professional fighters. You put an award, we win it, you earn it or lose it. Who is the biggest prize? We all know the answer to this question between those three.
«So, if you are intelligent, you accept that fight as if that guy were the bag. I don't want to say that others are not good, but the problem is Paddy, which is promoted, speaks and has a large package. It makes sense to earn the maximum money with that fight. But now, with this new agreement, does that change the panorama of whether you care who you fight? Now you only look for the best and easiest confrontation? “
While Tsarukyan and Gaethje are currently among the top five in the 155 -pound category, Pimblett has not yet managed to enter the elite of the lightweight division. His consecutive victories on veterans such as Tony Ferguson, Bobby Green and Michael Chandler may not live up to the curricula of his rivals, but Cruz insists that “The Baddy” would not be an easy opponent for Topuria.
“I think they are analyzing the confrontation of styles,” said Cruz. «If you are intelligent, you will not say that Paddy is eaten bread, but you will say that, in terms of style, is it eaten bread compared to Arman Tsarukyan? That is the question. Not that Paddy is bad compared to Arman.
“Right now, I like Paddy,” Cruz said. «It is not what it was when it arrived here. It has improved. I think people forget that, fight after fighting, you really improve if you want trust. And he has gained confidence. It is not that he has suffered a defeat that has made him go back a bit. His trust has grown. So stay in the gym, train again and, when that trust grows, you are a difficult guy to win. And right now he has it. Gaethje is the opposite. Gaethje has found his humanity ».
