Morning Report: Michael Bispin asks if Ilia Topria is “pulling John Jones” by not fighting Arman Zarkian

Michael Bispin hopes Ilia Topria won’t fall into the same pattern as John Jones.

On his YouTube channel, Bispin has pointed out a potential challenger from Topulia, who recently moved to lighter with the featherweight title. He won the free lightweight title when he knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan.

If it was up to Bispin, the emperor would receive a call. Tsarukyan is currently ranked second in the UFC’s official contender rankings, following only Islamic Makachev, who has left the division to challenge Welterweight Champion’s Jack Della Maddalena. Bispin has drawn similarities between the emperor chasing Toplia and current heavyweight champion Tom Aspinor recently pursued a fight with John Jones.

“Is Ilia Topria pulling John Jones?” asked Bispin. “Because Ahman Zarkian is a real threat to everyone. He is an incredible fighter. I know that many people don’t trust him by pulling him out in the final moments.

“He has strikes, wrestling, aerobic exercise, strength. He’s very young and he’s in his prime. He’s an absolute monster. Ilia Topria said that if the UFC had him fight Ahman Zarkian, he’d opened his belt.”

The emperor is in a strange place as he was supposed to face then-champion Makhachev for the lightweight belt of the UFC 311 this January, but on the night of the fight, a back injury lost the opportunity to drive him out of the contest. UFC CEO Dana White says it’s likely that Tsarukyan will have to fight again to win another title shot, but that’s not stopping the campaign to get the fight for Topuria.

He even attempts to adopt similar tactics for Aspinall, suggesting that Topuria is “ducking” the matchup.

“I don’t want to fight him (Topuria),” Bispin said. “He doesn’t want anything to do with Ahman Tsarkan, so now, Ahman Tsarkian is there. He’s making videos of little ducks. He’s doing Tom Aspinoll. If he’s making bets and doing anything to fight, he’ll give him $500,000,000,000.”

“Ilia can only say that she’s doing this to get under Arman Tsarukyan’s skin, but that’s not a good look,” added Bisping. “If you’re a champion – just like when John Jones was a champion – if you’re a champion, if you have a provisional champion, you have to fight the provisional champion. If you’re a champion, you’re supposed to fight a first man as simple as that.”

At the moment, Bisping is leaning towards Gaethje getting the title shot as Topuria eliminates Tsarukyan and Gaethje is a fan favorite and respected company man. However, he sees the scenario in which the Emperor plays the Battle of Topolia, allowing the battle of Gatche and Pinblet to line up in the next line.

Anyone who Topuria will be fighting for, Bisping hopes to understand optics that are not facing designated No. 1 candidates.

“The guys are amazing, so I don’t want to talk about shit about Ilia Topria,” Bispin said. “Every time I see him, he is an absolute act of class. He is humble. He is falling on earth. He is very intelligent. He is good for sports. He is a great ambassador. He represents two nations.

“So I’m not criticizing the man apart from the fact that I don’t want to fight Ahman Tsarkian for any reason. …Now, he only has a big choice. Ilia Topria needs to accept the fight against Ahman Tsarkian. Who will he fight? They have lost the last 13 in a row, but he’s building his brand, but he’s ranked third.

grim reaper. Robert Whittaker looks ahead after a disappointing loss at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Hmm. Fighters receive rewards but do not appear to fight in Brazil.

disaster. Will Ciryl Gane defeat Tom Aspinall to ruin the heavyweight division?

Was it justified? Fans have responded in a mixed response to Dan Hooker’s recent criticism of the UFC.

target. Gabriel Bonfim hopes for Colby Covington next, with a close victory over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

Tell me it isn’t!

Mighty Mouse and Mike Perry.

UFC 318 Fight Motion.

Dulatov, it’s very hot right now. Duratov.

Fighter jet vs. writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin talks to Matt Brown about what Renato Moicano from the UFC settlement will cut money in recent years, along with what the UFC champions face the most pressure in their upcoming title fights.

A decisive battle week schedule.

We have to do what we have to do, Angie!

love.

Please let me know.

In other words…

thought?

Topuria vs. Pimblett, that’s what it makes.

But what do I know? Let me hear your voice!

If you find something you want to see in your morning report, @Alexanderklee or @jedkmeshew Let us know about it on Twitter. Also, follow mmafighting Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktokand like us Facebook.