Ilia Topuria News

Justin Gaethje UFC walkout
Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje earned title shot against Ilia Topuria, says veteran UFC personality

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025

A longtime member of the UFC roster believes Justin Gaethje has earned the right to challenge Ilia Topuria. Topuria is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion. Fight fans have been waiting to see who will be “El Matador’s” first contender at 155 pounds after he starched Charles Oliveira in their late June clash.

Ilia Topuria and Terence Crawford
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria strongly advised not to pursue boxing match with Terence Crawford

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 19, 2025

Ilia Topuria has been calling for a showdown with boxing great Terence Crawford, but one UFC fighter doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Topuria has certainly seen his stock soar thanks to stellar performances against Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. “El Matador” is a former UFC featherweight titleholder, who vacated the gold to eventually capture the lightweight championship. Many believe Topuria has taken a page out of Conor McGregor’s playbook, and his callout of “Bud” Crawford is an example of that.

Terence Crawford and Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

Terence Crawford vs. Ilia Topuria isn't far-fetched, says UFC Hall of Famer

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2025

Terence Crawford vs. Ilia Topuria doesn’t seem like a matchup UFC CEO Dana White would want to book, or is it? Crawford dazzled boxing fans with his stellar performance against Canelo Alvarez this past Saturday. While the undisputed super middleweight title fight wasn’t necessarily a wipeout, it was clear that “Bud” got the better of a fellow legend in Alvarez. Crawford further cemented his legacy with a unanimous decision victory, improving his perfect pro boxing record to 42-0.

Shakur Stevenson answers a question during a press confrence, opposite Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium, and Ilia Topuria in the cage at UFC 317
Ilia Topuria

Boxing star predicts Terence Crawford would choke Ilia Topuria 'to death' in potential fight

Curtis Calhoun - September 16, 2025

Shakur Stevenson believes Terence Crawford would finish UFC champion Ilia Topuria inside the Octagon. Talks of a potential crossover fight between newly minted super middleweight boxing champion Terence Crawford and UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria have skyrocketed in recent days. Crawford defeated Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision in their superfight last weekend to add to his stellar resume.

Ilia Topuria answers a question during the UFC 317 press conference, opposite Terence Crawford during a media day interview
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria calls out Terence Crawford for lying about meeting him as crossover feud intensifies

Curtis Calhoun - September 16, 2025

The intense feud between combat superstars Ilia Topuria and Terence Crawford continues to escalate. Terence Crawford added to his spotless legacy with a dominant win over Canelo Alvarez in their boxing superfight last weekend in Las Vegas. After months of hype, Crawford put on one of the best performances of his career to capture Alvarez’s super middleweight titles after moving up multiple weight classes.

Terence Crawford speaks at a pre-fight press conference, opposite Ilia Topuria in the cage at UFC 317
Ilia Topuria

Terence Crawford shuts down fight with UFC superstar Ilia Topuria: "Don't compare him to Conor"

Curtis Calhoun - September 15, 2025

After their recent back-and-forths, boxing superstar Terence Crawford laughed off comparisons between Ilia Topuria and Conor McGregor. Terence Crawford added to his spotless legacy by defeating Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision to win Alvarez’s super middleweight titles. Crawford continued his undefeated start to his boxing career and added his name to the GOAT discussion.

Ilia Topuria answers a question during the UFC 317 press conference, opposite Terence Crawford during a media day interview
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria responds to Terence Crawford's 'drunk' comments by sending a message to top boxing stars

Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria responded to Terence Crawford’s latest remarks about a potential future crossover fight. Tensions are ramping up between UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria and boxing superstar Terence Crawford.

Terence Crawford speaks at a pre-fight press conference, opposite Ilia Topuria in the cage at UFC 317
Ilia Topuria

Terence Crawford issues hilarious response to UFC star Ilia Topuria's knockout threats

Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2025

One of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, Terence Crawford, was asked to respond to UFC star Ilia Topuria’s KO promise. Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez are just days away from squaring off in one of the biggest fights in boxing history this Saturday in Las Vegas. In a significant move up in weight, Crawford will challenge for Alvarez’s super middleweight titles in an attempt to add to his legacy.

Ilia Topuria, UFC
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria believes he'd put Terence Crawford to sleep in potential superfight

Harry Kettle - September 8, 2025

UFC champion Ilia Topuria has made an incredibly bold prediction for if he ever fought boxing sensation Terence Crawford. As we know, Ilia Topuria is the reigning UFC lightweight champion. He’s also one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts right now, and that much is an understatement. He continues to impress every time he steps into the cage, with his last three wins seeing him secure knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Usman Nurmagomedov, Paul Hughes
UFC

Usman Nurmagomedov disagrees with Ilia Topuria being seen as #1 lightweight in MMA

Harry Kettle - September 3, 2025

PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov doesn’t agree with Ilia Topuria being seen as the best lightweight in MMA. As we know, Usman Nurmagomedov is one of the most exciting lightweight fighters in the world. He’s also the PFL champion, which is a belt he’ll defend later this year when he goes up against Paul Hughes for the second time. Over in the UFC, meanwhile, the current king at 155 pounds is none other than Ilia Topuria.

Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria may opt to wrestle Justin Gaethje, says Ali Abdelaziz

Harry Kettle - September 2, 2025

Ali Abdelaziz believes that Ilia Topuria may decide to wrestle Justin Gaethje if they were to fight one another. Right now, Ilia Topuria is the biggest star in the world of mixed martial arts – and that doesn’t feel like a very controversial thing to say. He has done some incredible things throughout the course of his time in the sport and as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like he’s on his way to becoming something special.

Ilia Topuria UFC weigh-in
Jack Della Maddalena

Ilia Topuria warned to avoid welterweight by Jack Della Maddalena's coach

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 31, 2025

The head coach of UFC Welterweight Champion, Jack Della Maddalena, doesn’t think it would be wise for Ilia Topuria to try his hand at 170 pounds. Topuria was the UFC Featherweight Champion before he moved up a weight class to fight for lightweight gold. “El Matador” ended up capturing the 155-pound title by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 back in June. There are some worthy challengers in the lightweight division, but if Topuria clears him then talks will likely surface of a possible move to welterweight.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

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.

Ilia Topuria, UFC
UFC

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.

Arman Tsarukyan UFC walkout
Ilia Topuria

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 knocks out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317
Ilia Topuria

Charles Oliveira reveals his regret from Ilia Topuria fight at UFC 317

Harry Kettle - August 11, 2025

UFC star Charles Oliveira has revealed the biggest regret he has from his fight – and defeat – to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. As we know, Charles Oliveira is a lightweight legend in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In his last outing, the man known as ‘Do Bronx’ squared off against Ilia Topuria with the UFC lightweight title on the line. Unfortunately for Charles, he was simply overwhelmed by ‘El Matador’, who knocked the Brazilian sensation out cold to successfully capture his second UFC world title.

Arman Tsarukyan
Ilia Topuria

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.

Ilia Topuria UFC titles
Chael Sonnen

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.