Ilia Topuria News
Ilia Topuria claims he is moving on from featherweight, targets #1 contender bout with Charles Oliveira at lightweight
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has sensationally revealed that he could be planning on moving up to lightweight in the near future. For the longest time, Ilia Topuria has served as one of the most impressive fighters in all of mixed martial arts. For the most part, his accomplishments have come at featherweight, which is the division in which he currently holds the gold right now. Moving forward, the expectation was that he’d stay there and defend his crown – at least a few times, if he’s able to do so.
Islam Makhachev downplays future fight against fellow UFC champion Ilia Topuria: "What will that do for me?"
Josh Evanoff - December 4, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t very interested in facing Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Back for the first time since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria met Max Holloway. Ahead of the contest, both featherweights were discussing a move to 155 pounds. For his part, ‘Blessed’ was coming off a knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.
Charles Oliveira cautions Ilia Topuria against moving up to lightweight: “This is a very tough division”
Harry Kettle - November 15, 2024
Charles Oliveira has cautioned Ilia Topuria against moving up to lightweight as he continues to shine at featherweight. There’s a lot to be said for the rise of Ilia Topuria. Over the course of the last few years, he has emerged as one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts. In his last two fights, he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and proceeded to knock out Max Holloway – which is an absolutely crazy two-bout streak to have on your resume.
UFC legend thinks Ilia Topuria is on pace to surpass Conor McGregor's stardom
Fernando Quiles - November 8, 2024
One former UFC title challenger believes Ilia Topuria is on track to run past Conor McGregor in terms of stardom. Topuria has certainly seen his stock soar thanks to his success rate inside the Octagon. It also helps that Topuria is charismatic and has become a big name in Spain. After results such as being the first fighter to knock Max Holloway out, Topuria might just see himself becoming the hottest active star in the UFC.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan dubs Ilia Topuria as being MMA’s new “high water mark”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2024
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has had high praise for Ilia Topuria as he continues his reign as the featherweight king. At this point, it’s impossible to deny that Ilia Topuria is one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts. In his last two fights alone, he’s managed to knock out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. If that doesn’t prove what kind of fighter we’re dealing with, we’re not sure what would.
Ilia Topuria’s mother says it was a “daily routine” for ‘El Matador’ to fight in the streets: “It was not rare”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2024
Ilia Topuria’s mother has said that it was pretty common for the UFC star to fight in the streets when he was younger. Right now, Ilia Topuria is widely considered to be one of the best fighters on the planet. He has dominated the featherweight division and in his last two fights, he’s been able to knock out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. In the modern age, you just don’t see runs of form like that.
Diego Lopes makes his case for the next crack at Ilia Topuria and offers to fight him in Spain: “This fight will be a renewal”
Harry Kettle - November 1, 2024
UFC star Diego Lopes has made it crystal clear that he wants the next shot at UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Over the course of the last few years, Diego Lopes has emerged as a real contender at featherweight. He has dusted off a parade of big names, including Brian Ortega most recently. Now, he has his eyes on the prize – the UFC featherweight championship.
Sean O'Malley still gives Ilia Topuria problems in UFC fight, says coach Tim Welch
Fernando Quiles - October 31, 2024
Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch has full belief in his fighter to give Ilia Topuria some issues if they ever fight. O’Malley may have lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Merab Dvalishvili back in September, but Welch believes a future clash with Topuria remains possible. Obviously, the “Suga” show will need to focus on regaining the 135-pound gold before looking at the featherweight king.
Dana White reveals talks are ongoing for UFC event in Spain next year
Harry Kettle - October 30, 2024
UFC president Dana White has claimed that talks are ongoing for the promotion to host an event in Spain next year. As we know, Ilia Topuria is currently one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts. Last weekend, he cemented that reputation with a knockout win over Max Holloway. He’s done some great things for the UFC already, and that includes raising the profile of Spanish fighters in the promotion.
Diego Lopes calls to face Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in interim title fight: "Ilia wants to take time off..."
Josh Evanoff - October 29, 2024
If Ilia Topuria is taking time off, Diego Lopes wants Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in Australia. ‘El Matador’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 over the weekend. Back for the first time since winning featherweight gold against Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria met ‘Blessed’. Max Holloway earned the title shot with a stunning knockout victory over Justin Gaethje in April.
Alexander Volkanovski believes Ilia Topuria could KO Islam Makhachev if he tries champ-champ status
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski believes that Ilia Topuria could become a champ-champ if he tries to. Topuria is the UFC’s featherweight champion and is coming off a TKO win over Max Holloway to defend his belt at UFC 308. He became the first person to knockout Holloway, as he showed off his insane power.
Ilia Topuria should be 2024 'Fighter of the Year,' says former UFC veteran Matt Brown
Fernando Quiles - October 29, 2024
Former UFC veteran Matt Brown believes Ilia Topuria should be a lock for the 2024 “Fighter of the Year.” Topuria has certainly made a strong case for himself. “El Matador” knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Topuria actually became the first fighter to score a KO win over “Blessed.”
Aljamain Sterling confident he can neutralize Ilia Topuria's offense in future fight: "I'm making it a grappling match"
Josh Evanoff - October 28, 2024
Aljamain Sterling is already eyeing a matchup with UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 over the weekend. Back for the first time since winning featherweight gold in February, Ilia Topuria faced Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ earned the opportunity with a stunning fifth-round knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April. However, Topuria handed the Hawaiian a stoppage loss on Saturday.
Alexander Volkanovski is still eyeing an early 2025 rematch against Ilia Topuria: "I've got one last crack at the title"
Josh Evanoff - October 28, 2024
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is ready for a rematch with Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 308 over the weekend. Back for the first time since defeating Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria faced Max Holloway. The longtime featherweight earned another shot at gold in April, scoring a fifth-round knockout victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Sean O’Malley makes case for Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria: "You can't tell me that isn't a fight you would want to see"
Fernando Quiles - October 28, 2024
If Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is eventually booked, count Sean O’Malley in. The former UFC bantamweight champion was watching Topuria put his featherweight gold at stake against Max Holloway. The two collided in Abu Dhabi this past Saturday. Going into the fight, Topuria vowed to be the first man to knock Max Holloway out.
Paddy Pimblett remains confident he could beat “hand sanitizer boy” Ilia Topuria after watching UFC 308: “I still think I beat him”
Harry Kettle - October 28, 2024
UFC star Paddy Pimblett still believes he could beat Ilia Topuria, even after watching his triumphant win at UFC 308. On Saturday night, Ilia Topuria was able to defeat Max Holloway via knockout in the main event of UFC 308. It truly cemented his position as one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts, and also one of the most dangerous. Now, as ‘Blessed’ heads back to the drawing board, Topuria looks set to reign over the featherweight division for as long as he pleases.
Ilia Topuria sends blunt warning to Conor McGregor amid deleted social media posts
Fernando Quiles - October 27, 2024
Ilia Topuria has sent a scathing warning to Conor McGregor following UFC 308. Topuria handled business this past Saturday, just as he said he would. He lived up to his word by knocking Max Holloway out in the third round.
Conor McGregor reacts to Ilia Topuria's UFC 308 KO win over Max Holloway
Fernando Quiles - October 27, 2024
Conor McGregor has reacted to Ilia Topuria’s knockout victory over Max Holloway. Topuria’s first successful title defense occurred inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this past Saturday. It was clear that “El Matador” didn’t fear Holloway’s striking, and he began to pour on the offense in round three, eventually scoring the knockout.