Ilia Topuria News

Conor McGregor Ilia Topuria
Conor McGregor

UFC legend thinks Ilia Topuria is on pace to surpass Conor McGregor's stardom

Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.

Ilia Topuria

Diego Lopes previews future fight against UFC champion Ilia Topuria: "He's going to crash into a wall"

Josh Evanoff - November 6, 2024

UFC featherweight Diego Lopes has opened up on a future fight against Ilia Topuria. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a clash with Brian Ortega at UFC 306 in September. That night saw Diego Lopes hand the former featherweight title challenger a dominant decision defeat. With the victory, the rising contender earned the opportunity to be the backup for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway the following month.

Ilia Topuria, UFC, MMA
Joe Rogan

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, UFC 308, Results, Max Holloway, UFC
UFC

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.

Ilia Topuria and Sean OMalley UFC
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley still gives Ilia Topuria problems in UFC fight, says coach Tim Welch

Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.

BMF Championship
Ilia Topuria

Dana White ponders decision to leave BMF title out of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway fight at UFC 308

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 30, 2024

Dana White had second thoughts about his decision not to throw in the BMF title for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway. Topuria put his featherweight gold at stake against Holloway in the UFC 308 headliner. Ahead of the fight, Topuria wanted the BMF title to be on the line. The UFC brass weren’t on board with the idea.

Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

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 and Alexander Volkanovski
Diego Lopes

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.

Ilia Topuria UFC 298
Matt Brown

Ilia Topuria should be 2024 'Fighter of the Year,' says former UFC veteran Matt Brown

Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.”

Ilia Topuria, Max Holloway, UFC 308
Khamzat Chimaev

What's next for the stars of UFC 308?

Cole Shelton - October 28, 2024

The UFC was in Abu Dhabi, Dubai on Saturday for a solid UFC 308 fight card. In the main event, Ilia Topuria was defending his featherweight title against Max Holloway. The co-main event saw Robert Whittaker taking on Khamzat Chimaev in a highly-anticipated middleweight bout.

Aljamain Sterling, Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

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.

Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski
Ilia Topuria

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.

Paddy Pimblett, Ilia Topuria
Paddy Pimblett

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.

Max Holloway punched by Ilia Topuria
Max Holloway

Max Holloway issues statement following KO loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308: “We on our way to a new destination”

Harry Kettle - October 28, 2024

Max Holloway has issued a statement following his dramatic knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308. As we know, Max Holloway lost to Ilia Topuria last weekend via knockout. He was beaten in the third round of what was a competitive affair, but in the end, it was Topuria who landed the killer blow. In doing so, he may well have put an end to Holloway’s featherweight title hopes once and for all.

Ilia Topuria, Conor McGregor
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria sends blunt warning to Conor McGregor amid deleted social media posts

Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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, Ilia Topuria, UFC
Ilia Topuria

Conor McGregor reacts to Ilia Topuria's UFC 308 KO win over Max Holloway

Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.

Ilia Topuria, UFC 308, Results, Max Holloway, UFC
Max Holloway

Ilia Topuria declares himself the new BMF champion

Harry Kettle - October 27, 2024

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has declared himself the new BMF king after defeating Max Holloway. Last night in the main event of UFC 308, Ilia Topuria defeated Max Holloway. He did so by knocking him out in the third round, coming through on the promise he made to finish ‘Blessed’.

Ilia Topuria, UFC 308, Bonus, Max Holloway, UFC
UFC

UFC 308 Bonus Report: Ilia Topuria one of five fighters to take home an extra $50k

Chris Taylor - October 26, 2024

The Octagon returned to Abu Dhabi for today’s UFC 308 event and five fighters ended up walking home with performance bonuses. The pay-per-view fight card was headlined by a featherweight title fight featuring Max Holloway challenging Ilia Topuria. The contest proved to be a thrilling back and forth affair for as long as it lasted. Ilia Topuria seemed to struggle to find his range in the opening rounds due to the Hawaiian’s height advantage and movement. However, he eventually found a home for his big right hand and ended up dropping Max Holloway in the early moments of round 3. Although Max got back to his feet and started firing back punches, Topuria kept his foot on the gas and eventually connects with a massive left hook that sent ‘Blessed’ crashing to the canvas (see that here). Some follow up shots were all the referee needed to see to call a stop to the contest.