Ilia Topuria News

Harry Kettle - May 23, 2025

UFC star Ilia Topuria’s former head coach has opened up on why the two have decided to go their separate ways. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest names in all of mixed martial arts right now. He is already known as the UFC featherweight champion and now, he’s moving up to 155 pounds in an attempt to become a two-division world champion. After knocking out the likes of Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, it’s hard to imagine many people betting against him.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 22, 2025

Islam Makhachev has caught wind of one well-known UFC analyst’s ducking accusations, and he’s responded. Makhachev is set to vacate the UFC Lightweight Championship on June 28. Once the UFC 317 main event between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira begins, Makhachev will relinquish the 155-pound gold. The soon-to-be former lightweight champion made the decision in order to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

BJ Penn Staff - May 21, 2025

Charles Oliveira has made his first public prediction for his UFC 317 title fight with Ilia Topuria. With long-time lightweight champ Islam Makhachev making a (potentially nightmarish) move up to welterweight, Oliveira and Topuria are set to fight for the vacant belt in the June 28 card’s main event.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 20, 2025

One emerging UFC contender believes he has pinpointed some of Ilia Topuria’s biggest flaws. Topuria will be attempting to win UFC gold again, this time in the lightweight division. “El Matador” vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship, and he will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant 155-pound hardware on June 28. The title fight will headline UFC 317 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

BJ Penn Staff - May 19, 2025

Ilia Topuria is set for one of the biggest fights of his life at UFC 317. That hasn’t stopped him from changing up his coaching staff. Spain’s Topuria is the former UFC featherweight champion. After vacating the belt last year, he is set to challenge Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28.

BJ Penn Staff - May 19, 2025

Paddy Pimblett has something special in mind for a potential fight with fellow UFC star Ilia Topuria. England’s Pimblett is currently ranked No. 8 in the UFC lightweight division, and is probably just a few more wins from a crack at the division’s title. That title, of course, was recently vacated by long-time champion Islam Makhachev, who is headed up to welterweight. That cleared the way for Spain’s Topuria, the former featherweight champ, to battle Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt in his lightweight debut. The fight goes down at UFC 317 on June 28.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 19, 2025

One well-known MMA personality believes that Islam Makhachev purposely avoided Ilia Topuria. Makhachev will be vacating the UFC Lightweight Championship once Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira begins at UFC 317. The UFC lightweight title defense recordholder is moving up to challenge UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena at some point. Topuria labeled Makhachev a “coward” for refusing to fight him.

Harry Kettle - May 19, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on the upcoming fight between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria. In the main event of UFC 317, Charles Oliveira will take on Ilia Topuria in the main event. The two men will collide over the UFC lightweight championship, with the man known as ‘Do Bronx’ attempting to win the strap for the second time. Topuria, meanwhile, will try to join a rare group of fighters who have won belts in two different weight classes in the promotion.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 18, 2025

Ilia Topuria has no plans on giving Islam Makhachev a bout right away if things don’t pan out for the soon-to-be former UFC lightweight champion at 170 pounds. Makhachev will be vacating the UFC Lightweight Championship the moment Topuria’s fight with Charles Oliveira begins. Topuria and Oliveira will be fighting for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 317 on June 28. Makhachev is moving on to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

BJ Penn Staff - May 15, 2025

A fight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev is among the biggest the UFC can make right now. Unfortunately, it won’t be happening. At least, not yet. By late 2024, the undefeated Spaniard Topuria was the UFC featherweight champion, while Russia’s Makhachev was the lightweight champ. A lot has changed since then.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 15, 2025

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev are in a war of words following the UFC’s bombshell announcement. Topuria will be getting a crack at the UFC Lightweight Championship, but it won’t be against Makhachev. Instead, the 155-pound gold will be vacated, as Makhachev will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Topuria will be facing Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317.

Harry Kettle - May 14, 2025

UFC star Ilia Topuria has issued an apology ahead of his recently announced UFC 317 main event against Charles Oliveira. As we know, Ilia Topuria is making the move up to lightweight in pursuit of a second world title. Now, we also know that he’s going to be challenging for the championship straight away. He’ll lock horns with Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317, and many believe he has a great chance at winning the title. Of course, getting through someone like ‘Do Bronx’ is going to be no easy task, and Ilia knows that.

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

About that new nickname UFC star Ilia Topuria chose for himself last month… Spain’s Topuria, the former UFC featherweight champ, is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA right now. Ahead of his anticipated debut in the lightweight division, he announced plans to switch his nickname from “El Matador” to “La Leyenda.”

BJ Penn Staff - May 2, 2025

Ilia Topuria has confirmed the date for his next UFC fight. Spain’s Topuria is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA at the moment. He has been particularly impressive in his last two fights.

Harry Kettle - May 2, 2025

UFC star Charles Oliveira’s coach Diego Lima has admitted that he prefers the Ilia Topuria fight ahead of an Islam Makhachev rematch. As we know, Charles Oliveira is easily one of the most popular fighters on the roster – and in all of mixed martial arts. The man known as ‘Do Bronx’ is a former champion, he’s an all-time lightweight great, and he’s still a handful for just about any other fighter at 155 pounds. In terms of what’s next, there are plenty of rumors out there – with one of the big ones being that he will battle Ilia Topuria in the latter’s debut at lightweight.

BJ Penn Staff - April 25, 2025

Dustin Poirier will fight for a final time at UFC 318 on July 19, when he takes on his long-time rival Max Holloway. On paper, Holloway looks like a perfect final opponent for the legendary lightweight Poirier. The pair have fought twice before, and while Poirier has won both encounters, both fights were entertaining. Furthermore, the two MMA legends are among the most beloved fighters in the sport’s history. It makes all the sense in the world.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 22, 2025

A current UFC titleholder doesn’t want to see Ilia Topuria’s move to lightweight become a waste. Topuria recently vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship to move up to the 155-pound division. “La Leyenda” is seeking a shot at Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title. While the potential fight would be lucrative, Makhachev’s team argues that Topuria should have a No. 1 contender fight first.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 22, 2025

Ilia Topuria has a few fighters that he enjoys watching, but not all of them can get his seal of approval. The former UFC Featherweight Champion has big aspirations for his career. Topuria is moving up to the lightweight division in hopes of capturing another UFC title. While “La Leyenda” is known for being boastful, he does admit there are other elite fighters on the UFC roster who catch his attention with their fighting style.