Arman has a chance. I honestly think Leon would beat him though, Leon was stuffing Usman’s attempts to wrestle/grapple and getting back to his feet and I think Usman is way bigger and stronger than Islam.
If he moves up, then Shavkat and Leon. Here is the scary thought though. Islam is the most wellrounded fighter at LW. He is bigger and stronger than most. Higher fight IQ than any LW. Most skilled. Among the most gritty and disciplined. That means that if he stats at LW, he would break the defence record at LW, probably beat Silvas record at wins in a row and possibly Challenge number of defences by GSP and perhaps even JJ. Given the current landscape there are No LW stars or up and comers who can beat him. That is scary but also the reason that Islam seems a bit bored with the division.
Leon showed good wrestling defense against Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, two guys who just have wrestling. Islam is not just a wrestler. He's a wizard when it comes to judo takedowns, due to his sambo background, and despite not being the best of the best when it comes to pure jiu-jitsu, compared to the jiu-jitsu of Colby and Kamaru, Islam might as well be Gordon Ryan.
Your at this stage of MMA knowledge lol, where you explain to the casuals the layer below the one the one they can perceive. Wait until you reach the level where you understand the unseen aspects of the game
I actually think he had a different surprise. He threw a huge counter elbow that missed by about an inch in round 2 I believe. I think it was going to be his Volk head kick KO moment. Those knees were brutal. I think if he fought Dustin or Geathje now he would do even better with the confidence of knowing he can strike with these guys.
@@hz1056yea that elbow was huge. But I think his surprise was that he was just gonna submit Dustin within the first few minutes, but Dustin’s submission defense was too good.
@@hz1056yup Islam is already confident he can stand long enough to force you to the ground but now he's got the confidence and skill to stand with high IQ and generally skilled strikers to a KO nd dustin stuffing his takedowns and still not being able to outstrike islam definitely didn't help cause all it showed was if Islam does run into someone with solid TDD and can't stand long enough to drain them into a submission he'll still know "I can knock him out" or "I can drop him" exhibit A kinda being Charles cause even tho he got submitted I don't think in a pure grappling match he would've ran through Charles like that
@@zeroworries I didn’t say it wasn’t a long tine ago but he’s been getting touched lately and if Topuria touches him like that he’s likely going to sleep bro and I’m a massive Islam fan
@@Tyler-if1zd Maybe if he gets caught badly, but Islam outstruck Dustin with staph and statistically has the best striking defense and sig. strike accuracy in Lightweight. Dustin couldn’t even rock him once in their fight besides landing an elbow that cut him. And Topuria is not winning in the clinch or grappling, not to mention Islam will have the free open stance kicks against the shorter orthodox fighter.
I won't say mad but he fought a draw against 45er in the first match second match volk took it short week notice and also if Islam fights Leon Leon wims
Minus the size difference, Islam and topuria is a perfect matchup. Elite Dagestani wrestler with solid boxing and ko power vs Greco Roman and jui jitsu submission specialist turned nasty boxer and ko artist.
@@hhhson3622 it’s probably not better, but he’s never been out grappled in the ufc. Most guys don’t have that dead solid ground game to fall back on when facing Islam.
He beat Arman. Fighting another featherweight does nothing for him. Fighting Leon is the REAL TEST we all wanna see if Islam is the real deal or just a LW
He beat Arman on his ufc debut. They’ve both gotten so much better we all want to see I wanna see him fight Leon too but he didn’t deserve it he has 3 title defenses but he’s only beat 2 top contenders in his division and one of his defense was short notice volk. He still needs to rematch arman before division is mostly cleared. Also it’s in his best intrest to rematch arman since everyone saying he is dodging
He beat Arman on his ufc debut. They’ve both gotten so much better we all want to see I wanna see him fight Leon too but he didn’t deserve it he has 3 title defenses but he’s only beat 2 top contenders in his division and one of his defense was short notice volk. He still needs to rematch arman before division is mostly cleared. Also it’s in his best intrest to rematch arman since many are saying he is dodging
Ilias ground game, wrestling and BJJ is crazy bro. And he's defenitly stronger than Volk. People that train with him said that he never trains chest and once he did bench press and lifted 150kg, that's crazy for his weight
Saying Ilia has the best boxing is the most HIGH IQ hot take I’ve seen and it’s insane how much push back it gets. 100% has the best boxing and his defense is insane
Saying he has the best boxing isn’t a hot take but its also not a take thats crazy to disagree with,i think he’s one of the best boxers but not THE best
@@clkgtr12 based on strikes absorbed? Damage taken? Strikes thrown compared to fight time? Lmfao you know their stats are free and easily accessible right? This is what I mean. MMA is GOATed with casuals
Islam will bring the war to leon ,he will not allow him to 1 , 2 at range . Topuria is really scary tho , as an Islam fan , Topuria has a considerable chance to put his lights out
@@yassinefrigui7777 Not at all, Topuria is too short for Makhachev and he learned from the volk fight, he will always control the distance using kicks and deny that boxing range for ilia. If Ilia gets too close than Makhachev will clinch and that's where he has big advantage, or even take him down for some control time. The leon fight is the hardest but I think he wins all 3 Shavkat is the toughest challenge
@@keyboardwarrior6591 topuria has some heavy hands and great boxing , also his ground game is amazing . I still think Islam gets it done against him. And yeah shavkat gives him a lot of trouble , though I think islam pieces him up on the feet because the guy walks in with his chin forward
@@keyboardwarrior6591shavkat has no head movement and his grappling is not at the level of Makhachev, i think shavkat gets decisioned to a 50-45. He will barely survive on the feet but will get pieced up. Shavkat does have a granite chin though.
I forgot to mention Ilia "soldier of God" Topuria who said on record that he'd cover himself in bacon grease if he fought Makhachev. He will flatline Makhachev for the West
That Dagestani group back game is underrated it’s just they don’t get put in guard much. Watch the Abel vs Khabib fight Abel took him down and khabib almost triangles him instantly but the round ended
I agree with your takes on Arman and Topuria, great justifications, however I disagree with your Leon take. Usman and Islam have very different wrestling styles and I definitely think that Islam has a more varied toolbox for takedowns WHICH I think would ensure he gets a takedown. Islam IS probably the strongest lightweight, he is built like a real welterweight. Compare him to GSP, they are the same height and probably same strength. He had a staph infection against DP and IV dehydration against Volk in their first, both reasonable explanations for more weakness than expected. Even then, by using his trip-heavy takedowns (from judo mostly) he was able to take both men down WHILE weak. Trips are ideal for weaker/smaller fighters and they work better against men with longer legs and a higher centre of mass (such as Leon Edwards). On the ground, Leon hasn't had to use submission defence at all in recent fights. Usman had Leon's back a few times throughout their fights and NEVER went for hooks or anything, he just GNP'd like a typical folkstyle wrestler. Islam would definitely go for the back, however his failure to finish Volk or Porier in that position makes me doubt a RNC would work, however he would certainly win that round. It's anyone's guess if Islam could keep up those takedowns later in the fight and retain dominant positions, however I do think that a fully energised Islam would be a strength match for Leon. His smaller frame (and reach) would definitely put him at a striking disadvantage against Leon, therefore I agree that his ability to score takedowns (using trips, NOT singles/doubles like Usman which gasses out fighters more and makes them prone to sprawls/gillys) and keep control (which I certainly think he has proven he can do) will dictate the outcome. I think Islam would do worst against Khamzat Chimaev if Khamzat were still in welterweight. It's just such a shame that fight will probably never happen. I would love to see Islam vs Shavkat but I don't think we have seen Shavkat tested enough to determine his weaknesses with certainty (his head movement seems to be an issue right now but that's all I can say). Sorry for the long comment, I appreciate it if anyone has read this far.
Tbf in the second fight Leon was grabbing gloves and fences to defend takedowns. Also he would give Usman his back to get up which Islam would immediately put the hooks in
One thing I thought of is Leon is very good, but his strengths are known and Islam won’t challenge him if he doesn’t figure out how to negate them, he won’t just wing it and hope that he is good enough
I think Max Holloway has the best chance of beating Islam tbh. He has high output, long rangey wirey man striking with great takedown defense. I could see him beating Islam by decision or maybe even KO/TKO
@@Natsu4495A guy who looks that sloppy both on the ground and the feet will beat Makhachev? His striking defense is damn near 0 and he looks like a drunk uncle while grappling. He’s entertaining but he has nothing for Islam
@@Natsu4495 Arman can actually get a takedown on Islam and so far has been the only person in the UFC to do so. Saint-Denis who couldn’t outgrapple a high school wrestler Frevola won’t manage against Islam, trust me. Let’s get serious
The arman point was spot on unfortunately everything arman can do Islam can do better he’s not like gaethje with the better striking or Charles with the better grappling I also don’t see how he can win
If Islam fights leon leon winning not just me saying that even O'Malley coach and cejudo said that because leon bigger taller better chin and striking very good tdd good wrestling and great fight iq Leon wins
Wow had to make sure this wasn't a Lucas Tracey video, after man's said Islam is a better striker than volk, and dustin. Like have you watched Islams fights he's a good striker you could even say great but he's not as clean, doesn't have the perfect foot work of amazing strikers like dp and volk, Islam relies far to heavily on his physique and daganstani wrestling, and Arman has been improving his striking too I'd say him and Islam aren't far removed in that case
Also not to mention whats this about Arman not being a submission threat did you not watch ufc 300 if he can put Olivera in bad positions and almost sink in chokes and subs he's gonna be able to to it to Islam
Pretty good breakdown but let's remeber in terms of striking islam is fighting each fighter quite differently from charles to dp we don't know what else is hidden 😂😂
How could you think leon beats islam when he couldnt even finish pillow hands nate and almost got finished by pillow hands.... leon has no killer instinct and fought a wreslter in usman with no submission threat... think about that islam will finish leon
How can u be so sure Islam beats Leon when he struggles to take town 145ers and 155ers? His wrestling ain't unstoppable. Leon is bigger, stronger, faster, taller, has more reach, and can manage distance really well. I could see him outsriking Islam to a decision. The only threat Islam has against Leon is his submission skills.
Islam wants to meet Leon that's I think they have a faith to beat him at 170 Islam is stronger and full he will take Leon down for sure but can he do damage or submit that's the question
I don’t think Islam beats arman comfortably. I think he beats him, but a closer fight than everyone thinks. A stocky, top notch wrestler who has hands gave Islam a tough fight last time. Combine that with speed and youthfulness, I think Islam will only win a 49-46 ud
hey pill bruw, Leon’s boxing is top notch his stand-up is superior than Dustin slightly, i personally think Leon Edwards fight for Islam will be his toughest ever fight, period!!!
I keep seeing people say Leon will beat him but how though? Leon barely survived Usman. I see Leon as the most beatable UFC Champion right now. Barely fights and when he does, he scraps by. I guess that's why they call him rocky.
@@shiraq_kaz5161leon had to cheat a lot tho, so much grabbing of the fence that prevented the takedowns, he even lost a point, forget the fact Usman beat him in the first fight, dominated the second until he got ko'd and then had a boring timid match in the 3rd bout, Makachev won't be timid, he would be hungry bc it's a new belt.
@@WeAreGhuraba your forgetting that usman also grabbed his shorts and cheated in the third fight? He also cheated a lot in the second fight. And let’s not forget Leon also took down usman and Colby, so his wrestling will hold up against a smaller fighter
@@shiraq_kaz5161 Usman literally carried him in the air whilst Leon held for dear life, lost a point bc of it. Leon is known for these things, I like the dude, but him surprising Usman with a takedown doesn't mean anything, Leon is as big as Khamzat, him getting that off and never being able to do that again means very lil to me.
I wouldn’t be shocked if arman surprises us by being competitive on the feet,we haven’t seen much of his striking because his wrestling is usually enough to win but that was also the same case with islam before he fought oliveira,islam has a boxing advantage but arman is faster & has better kicks imo
Yea I would lean towards makhachev but Arman sure has a 40% chance in my books also I think Arman is a jus a better pure wrestler than makhachev and his gnp is a bit better but in overall grappling Islam has the edge
@@user-eo1se3xx2p he cheats, great cardio, rarely gets hit, does'nt get pushed against the cage much, excellent takedown defense, when he does get taking down, het gets up quickly.
P4p no matter who says otherwise Nobody in his division No champion from nearest weights a nightmare for all while being a genuine nice guy Haters hate, that’s what they do but it changes nothing
BSD was ragdolling Poirier till he got Kod and Justin finished him in 2 rounds. DP was in his final phase. He did incredibly well. There are dudes who are way better than Dp. This fight was a close one.
Arman has better wrestling than Islam without a doubt. Arman wouldn’t be struggling to get takedowns against a 35 year veteran striker with non functional hips
Porier was so good at stuffing cuase he started tranig with gamrot who is the best wrestler at lw for all we know he would have been champ if he trianed with gamrot
Only one is would be chandler to give tough match due to his bulky body would be hard getting a choke. And Chandler goes zero to a 100 i. First two rounds. Otherwise easy for islam. Islam will beat leon, leon is ducking hard, and toporia would fight but will get choked or even head kick ko, as arman, he seems to he talking the most and was under getting choked by charles while islam subbed him, you will see what i mean when they fight.
Leon has no chance but the other 2 guys do. It’s physically impossible to win a decision against Islam volk proved it. Leon rarely gets finishes and fights to the level of his competition and they will give it to Islam in that case. Also Islam’s main weakness in the striking is getting tagged at the end of a combination and Leon doesn’t throw combinations. And wrestlers beat volume strikers stylistically. Also Islam will be hydrated at 170.
@@AwareWolfOnWheels Nah actually you’re right. The guy who couldn’t choke out the corpse of Porier after taking his back for 2 rounds is gonna 1st round sub one of the best grapplers in the UFC who survived locked in chokes from the best submission artist in the UFC. My bad. You have unbridled genius
Arman beats Islam almost for sure tbh. Islam’s wrestling is not on his level so he won’t just have his way there and on the feet, the lack of takedown threat will neutralize Islam’s striking significantly. Arman is faster, more powerful, and has a better chin than him. If this is gonna be a minority take and Arman is listed as a big underdog, I’ll put big money that Arman wins
@@clkgtr12 Toying with someone is etching out 2 rounds, getting taken down, and reversed multiple times in a fight? Against a debuting 22 year old on short notice? I guess there was no way for Edwards to beat Usman back to back since Usman beat Edwards a few years before he got a title shot
Makhachev will never fight Ilia because of the lack of respect he got for beating Volk (a “lighter” guy). I agree with you on Arman. Leon I think is too big for Islam but unlike wrestlers like Usman, Belal and Colby, Islam has judo trips and stellar jiujitsu so if he got Leon down, Leon would have difficulties defending the jiu jitsu. But Islam would have difficulty dealing with Leons Strength and power I think. But he has No choice. He is getting too Big for LW and unfortunately I dont think he has the frame for WW
Ilia started as a greco roman wrestler than transitioned in jiujitsu and later in his life started boxing.he is georgian and georgians are very tough wrestlers
TOPURIA can definitely beat ISLAM not bc he has good wrestling and striking skill but bc my man can eat point blank head kick in the F jaw like a snack but again TOPURIA is too small so its 50/50 other than that i think SHEVKHAT RUKMANOV can bsat ISLAM.. Leon has 0 chance blud almost got KO by grandpa diaz.
Your take on the Arman was good, I literally had this talk with my buddy after UFC 302 and said we don’t see what he does better than Islam to beat him than probably lasting long and possibly landing a clean shot
19:48 O’Malley: beat merab, then uh sandhagen Umar IC Islam Leon: kick both max and Islam outta LW, Micheal chandler vs arman for wtv belt. Leon Dricus: I got Strickland as a more relevant match up. Strickland edwards would be a horrible match up, for the audience and Leon. Parried both Izzy and costa for Ws. Either mega snooze fest OAT, or U GOTTA PULL IT OUT THE FYE AH. DDP Alex: he’s already have beaten the top of MW. Rob, Sean, Izzy up to batt. There’s only khamzat, imavov, Allen, is hernendez there yet? And it shoulda been cannonier instead of Izzy, and Izzy khamzat cuz he just beat usman.
I think everyone has Arman wrong, he does have better wrestling than Islam. What Islam and khabib do really good is getting you up to the fence and taking you down but they never get takedowns in the open like Arman and Gamrot can which gives Arman the advantage in terms of wrestling
They can't beat islam easily. He's the pound for pound fighter in his prime, the win streak crazy and he trains like a mad man, khabib in the corner. If you want to gamble with low odds, then yes , but my money on islam, skills and track record show this
islam's set on eyeing the welterweight belt after he beats arman again. he's done with giving a chance to lower division guys so topuria fight won't happen at least anytime soon. i won't be underestimating islam against leon, yes leon is so much better fighter right now but islam will also get even better with time. i'm just so curious what happens if belal wins the belt. they say they will sit down with their manager and decide what's the best option when they cross path. islam will want to respect belal having the belt but at the same time he has a goal of his own which means they will have to fight inevitably. i'd like to see their team handle stuff like this
Leon would be the best fight in terms of entertainment in my opinion. It would be interesting to see him not have to cut so much weight. Maybe he’d end up being better at 170, just like how Alex Pierra moved up to 205 and is much better.
