Former MMA fighter, coach of Russian athlete Victoria Dudakova Hasanali Hasanaliev, in an interview with , assessed the prospects of the UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in case of promotion to the next weight category.
In February, undefeated Ilya Topuria, representing Georgia and Spain in the UFC, became the featherweight champion (up to 66 kg), defeating Alex Volkanovski. Hasanaliev and a representative of the UFC bantamweight division, Dudakova, held a training camp at the Spanish fighters’ gym in Alicante ahead of the Russian’s fight in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for August 3.
— Can Ilya Topuria fight on equal terms with Islam Makhachev, the champion in the -70.3 kg category?
– Anthropometrically, of course, it will be very difficult for him. But Elijah has an absolute advantage: he is only 27 years old. If he works hard, he will earn more.
– Can you imagine it as lightweight?
— He weighs 85-86 kg between fights. Squats 180 kg, presses 140 3 times from the chest. He is a machine, very strong. And he trains every day. Ilya hits like a horse: we did not fight, but we fought, and I only have to look at what legs he stands on. I will say that he is 100% fine. No details, ”Hasanaliev told .
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I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
