Urijah Faber thinks one UFC champion’s power can transcend numerous weight classes.
Former WEC featherweight champion and UFC bantamweight title challenger Faber has first-hand experience of competing in several weight classes. However, we’ve recently seen the likes of UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria talk about conquering a third division.
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But who has the best chance?
“I could say Ilia Topuria,” Faber told The Schmo. “That guy, with his skillset, he seems to have some crazy power that could translate to the higher weight classes because the only thing you’re combating when you’re going up and down weight classes – I did the same thing.
“I was a world champion at 145 pounds, top contender for years at 135 pounds, you’re just fighting different battles. You’re a little bit faster when you’re the smaller guy, and you’re a little bit stronger when you are the bigger guy. But it really comes down to technique, willpower, and the fighting spirit, and I think Ilia right now has those.”
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) claimed the UFC featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski. He then defended it once with a knockout of Max Holloway, before relinquishing the belt and going up to lightweight.
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He knocked out Charles Oliveira to capture the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 in June. The 28-year-old is now interested in chasing welterweight champion Islam Makhachev for a shot at history, as no UFC fighter has ever claimed titles in three different weight classes.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Urijah Faber names UFC champ with best chance of winning three titles
