Ilia Topuria News
Ilia Topuria's next fight should be against Paddy Pimblett, says ex-UFC champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 27, 2025
If one former UFC titleholder had his way, then Ilia Topuria’s first lightweight title defense would be against Paddy Pimblett. Topuria and Pimblett had a staredown inside the Octagon at the conclusion of UFC 317 back in June. Topuria had just knocked out Charles Oliveira to secure the UFC Lightweight Championship. Dana White was none too pleased with “The Baddy” being allowed inside the cage once Topuria’s fight was over.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Ilia Topuria doesn't have a chance against Arman Tsarukyan
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2025
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t think Ilia Topuria has much of a chance against Arman Tsarukyan. Topuria became the lightweight champ with a knockout win over Charles Oliveira back in June. He’s currently waiting to be booked for his first title defense, but all signs point to it being against either Paddy Pimblett or Arman Tsarukyan.
UFC lightweight provides big update on Ilia Topuria's potential return date
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2025
UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has provided an update on Ilia Topuria’s potential return to the Octagon. As we know, there’s been a great deal of speculation over Ilia Topuria’s future for a while now. Some believe that he’s going to fight Justin Gaethje, others think it’s going to be Arman Tsarukyan, and some don’t really care who it is – they just want an active champion.
UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan turns heads with recent comments on Ilia Topuria's striking
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 15, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan has made some bold comments about Ilia Topuria’s striking. Topuria is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion and he’s been pounding the table to receive the next shot at 155-pound gold. Topuria won the title when he knocked out Charles Oliveira in the opening frame of their UFC 317 bout.
Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett would be a booking mistake right now, says former UFC champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 8, 2025
A former UFC champion doesn’t believe now is the time for Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett. Topuria captured the UFC Lightweight Championship by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317. After the bout, Pimblett entered the Octagon and had a staredown with “El Matador.” Topuria shoved “The Baddy” before security separated the two men. It had appeared the UFC was angling for that matchup, but Dana White later told reporters that he wasn’t happy about Pimblett being allowed inside the Octagon.
Arman Tsarukyan firmly believes that UFC rival Ilia Topuria is ducking him
Harry Kettle - August 7, 2025
UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan believes that the reigning champion, Ilia Topuria, is currently ducking him. For the longest time now, Arman Tsarukyan has been calling for a shot at the UFC lightweight championship. After pulling out against Islam Makhachev at the last minute due to injury, some wondered when his next opportunity would arrive. It certainly doesn’t help his case that he hasn’t fought since then, whereas other lightweights have been a bit more active.
UFC analyst claims Ilia Topuria's first lightweight challenger has been decided
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 4, 2025
Has the first UFC lightweight title contender for Ilia Topuria been determined? Topuria recently captured the 155-pound gold by sleeping Charles Oliveira in the opening frame of their UFC 317 main event. That’s now three straight knockout wins over future UFC Hall of Famers for “El Matador.” While Topuria has looked like a world-beater, there are enticing challengers for him.
Islam Makhachev's coach admits he's impressed by Ilia Topuria, leaves door open for UFC mega fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 4, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s coach likes what he has seen from Ilia Topuria. Topuria captured his second UFC title at the age of 28. After becoming the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway in a successful UFC featherweight title defense, “El Matador” captured the 155-pound gold by starching Charles Oliveira. Topuria vs. Oliveira was booked for the vacant lightweight title after Makhachev vacated the gold in an effort to chase the UFC Welterweight Championship.
UFC champion labels Ilia Topuria a future Hall of Famer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 31, 2025
A current UFC champion believes Ilia Topuria will become a Hall of Famer once his career wraps up. Topuria has already captured gold in two weight classes. He relinquished the featherweight title in a bid to challenge for the 155-pound gold. “El Matador” scored a first-round knockout over Charles Oliveira to lay claim to his second UFC title.
UFC veteran goes after Ilia Topuria for rejecting idea of Arman Tsarukyan fight
Harry Kettle - July 30, 2025
UFC veteran Paul Felder wasn’t happy about Ilia Topuria’s comments regarding a possible fight against Arman Tsarukyan. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts today. He’s also a two-weight UFC champion, currently holding the gold at lightweight after vacating his strap at 145 pounds. There are plenty of questions surrounding what the future holds for ‘El Matador’ and one of the reasons for that is that there are a lot of contenders who believe they can step up to the plate.
Justin Gaethje 'gets mopped' by Ilia Topuria, says former UFC fan favorite
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 28, 2025
One ex-UFC veteran isn’t sold on Justin Gaethje’s chances in a potential clash with Ilia Topuria. Gaethje has been adamant about receiving the next crack at lightweight gold. UFC CEO Dana White isn’t exactly thrilled that “The Highlight” is threatening to retire if he doesn’t receive the next title shot at 155 pounds. The UFC also isn’t short on potential challengers for “El Matador” with the likes of Arman Tsarukyan, Max Holloway, and Paddy Pimblett waiting in the wings.
Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan continue to clash over potential title shot
Harry Kettle - July 24, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria continues to clash with Arman Tsarukyan over him possibly receiving a title shot. As we know, Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan aren’t big fans of one another. Arman is attempting to make a push for a championship opportunity, whereas Ilia has several different guys waiting to see whether or not they’ll get the call to face him for the belt. This includes Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway and Paddy Pimblett, but as of this writing, it’s not quite clear as to who will be the lucky one.
Max Holloway once again mocks Ilia Topuria for carrying around BMF title belt
Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025
UFC legend Max Holloway has questioned Ilia Topuria for carrying around the BMF title belt as talks of a rematch continue. Last Saturday night, Max Holloway successfully retained the BMF championship by defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. As we know, though, ‘Blessed’ lost his last fight before this, falling to a KO defeat at the hands of Ilia Topuria. While the BMF title wasn’t on the line in that fight, some felt as if it should’ve been.
Dana White won't rule out Max Holloway getting chance at revenge against Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 21, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White thinks Max Holloway has set himself up for plenty of options after defeating Dustin Poirier. Holloway scored the unanimous decision victory in “The Diamond’s” retirement fight at UFC 318. “Blessed” is hoping to take over the lightweight division now that he finally secured a victory over Poirier in their trilogy bout. He also gets to keep his top five position in the official UFC 155-pound rankings.
Bryce Mitchell admits he's still upset about 2022 loss to Ilia Topuria
Harry Kettle - July 19, 2025
UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has admitted that he’s still upset about his submission loss to Ilia Topuria three years ago. As we know, Bryce Mitchell is one of the more controversial figures currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While he’s clearly very talented, he’s had a handful of losses over the course of the last few years – all of which have come via finish. In addition to that, he also has some opinions that have landed him in hot water as of late.
Max Holloway’s analysis of Ilia Topuria’s recent three-fight win streak criticized by UFC lightweight
Harry Kettle - July 18, 2025
UFC lightweight Renato Moicano doesn’t agree with Max Holloway’s recent criticism of Ilia Topuria’s iconic three-fight win streak. On Saturday night, Max Holloway will attempt to get himself back in the win column. He’ll do so at 155 pounds, defending his BMF championship against the one and only Dustin Poirier. While he may be 0-2 in their series, many believe that ‘Blessed’ will put forward a much better version of himself than he did in their first and second fights.
Max Holloway discredits Ilia Topuria's winning streak: "They're not looking at the record"
Cole Shelton - July 14, 2025
Max Holloway believes Ilia Topuria’s recent run isn’t as good as people think. Topuria is coming off three-straight knockout wins over Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski to win the featherweight belt and lightweight title. However, Holloway believes the names are big, including himself, but none of them were at the peak or on massive winning streaks as they had been in the past.
Max Holloway shares interesting observation of Ilia Topuria's punching power
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 13, 2025
Max Holloway has felt Ilia Topuria’s punching power, and his assessment might surprise you. Holloway shared the Octagon with Topuria at UFC 308 and ended up suffering his first knockout loss. It was a successful UFC Featherweight Championship defense for “El Matador,” who moved on to capture the lightweight gold by knocking out Chares Oliveira.