Demetrious Johnson reveals how Ilia Topuria could be exploited at UFC 317
Ilia Topuria has proven to be unbeatable so far, but Demetrious Johnson suggests one area where he could be exploited.
Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) takes on Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) for the vacant lightweight title in the UFC 317 main event on June 28 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
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Topuria poses threats with his boxing, grappling and jiu-jitsu. While Oliveira is also an all-around threat, Johnson advises the Brazilian to test him to an unfamiliar position.
"I think somebody who is able to expose him – like he's very good at that range, of that slow, check, slow, check, and he gets in there, and he throws like five-punch combinations," Johnson said in an interview with Tim Welch. "But once somebody gets him in that clinch, that area, that's where I think we will see how he reacts, because when you get in that clinch. ... I feel like that area we haven't seen him fight, and if Charles can get him there – obviously if he grabs the clinch, he can go body, body, head. But, when he does body, body, head, you can still bang him with a knee so, it's a give and take. If Charles can get him there, it will be interesting to see what happens."
Former UFC flyweight champion Johnson explained how he would fight Topuria.
"If I was to fight Ilia, I would fight him in the clinch," Johnson added, "It's like, 'OK, outside he hits too hard, he's going to stalk me. If I shoot, he's going to defend, and then he's going to back up, or he might try to take me down. What would he do in the clinch?' Because I know he's going to go body, body, and I'm going to go elbow. That's where I'm like I want to see what he would do."
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According to DraftKings, Topuria is currently a big -380 favorite over fellow former champion Oliveira, who's a +300 underdog.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 317: Former champ reveals keys to beating Ilia Topuria
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