Ilia Topuria News

Harry Kettle - December 8, 2025

UFC sensation Ilia Topuria has received big praise from fellow UFC champion Tom Aspinall following another strong year. While he may have only fought once this year, it’s safe to say that Ilia Topuria has established himself as one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts. After knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in back to back fights, some wondered whether or not Ilia would be able to take things any further than that. The short answer is that he was able to, and he did so emphatically.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2025

Ilia Topuria has sent words of encouragement to Merab Dvalishvili following UFC 323. Dvalishvili was chasing history on Saturday in Las Vegas. “The Machine” was attempting to set a new record for the most successful UFC title defenses in a single year. Petr Yan had other plans, as he avenged a 2023 loss against Dvalishvili via unanimous decision.

Dylan Bowker - November 28, 2025

Ilia Topuria recently tipped his proverbial cap to Cristiano Ronaldo as the soccer star has revealed he now has major stakes in an MMA promotion partly owned by the UFC lightweight champion. Way of the Warrior FC is a surging Spanish mixed martial arts organization, and via his X account @Cristiano, Ronaldo said, “I’m excited to share some big news: I will become a shareholder of @wowfcmma ! We share values I truly believe in – discipline, respect, resilience, and the constant pursuit of excellence. WOW FC is building something unique and powerful, and I’m proud to join this project to help elevate the sport and inspire the next generation.”

Harry Kettle - November 28, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has revealed that he will not compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal reasons. For quite some time now, Ilia Topuria has been viewed as one of the scariest fighters in all of mixed martial arts. One of the reasons for that, we would imagine, is because he has been able to knock out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira across his last three fights.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 25, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan has taken exception to UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria preferring a fight with Paddy Pimblett. Tsarukyan believes he has earned No. 1 contender status after submitting Dan Hooker in the main event of their UFC Qatar fight. Tsarukyan has insisted that Topuria is avoiding him. “El Matador” has been beefing with Pimblett for years, but the general consensus is that Tsarukyan is the most deserving contender at 155 pounds.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 23, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan believes he can make things look easy in a UFC title fight against Ilia Topuria. Tsarukyan earned the headlining spot on the UFC Qatar card against Dan Hooker this past Saturday. The bout did not go the distance, as Tsarukyan secured an arm-triangle choke in the second stanza to end the fight. Now that he’s won his fifth bout in a row, “Ahalkalakets” is hoping to secure a shot at Topuria’s UFC Lightweight Championship.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 23, 2025

Ilia Topuria has taken issue with Arman Tsarukyan’s constant ducking accusations. Tsarukyan took center stage in the main event of UFC Qatar. He submitted Dan Hooker in the second round. “Ahalkalakets” has been pounding the table for a shot at Topuria’s UFC Lightweight Championship. He’s gone as far as to say “El Matador” has been ducking him.

Curtis Calhoun - November 21, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and top contender Paddy Pimblett exchanged barbs while at the UFC Qatar weigh-ins. Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett could be on the verge of squaring off in the Octagon in 2026. After Topuria secured the UFC lightweight title at UFC 317, he and his longtime rival Pimblett faced off before things got physical and nearly escalated into a chaotic scene.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 7, 2025

Paddy Pimblett insists that Ilia Topuria is holding things up as far as the booking of his first UFC lightweight title defense is concerned. Topuria hasn’t fought since June when he knocked Charles Oliveira out to become the 155-pound champion. Top lightweights Pimblett, Justin Gaethje, and Arman Tsarukyan were in attendance to watch the fight. “The Baddy” entered the Octagon following the main event and was shoved by Topuria before security intervened. The two have had beef brewing over the years.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 6, 2025

A well-known UFC lightweight believes he knows who should challenge Ilia Topuria for the 155-pound gold. Topuria hasn’t competed since capturing the title back in June. “El Matador” knocked out Charles Oliveira in the opening frame of the UFC 317 headliner. After the fight, Topuria and Paddy Pimblett traded barbs before being separated by security.

Harry Kettle - November 3, 2025

UFC star Paddy Pimblett has made a big prediction for his potential UFC lightweight title showdown against rival Ilia Topuria. For the longest time now, Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria have had a pretty intense feud with one another – and that much is an understatement. These two men are eager to get in the cage and settle their differences once and for all, but up to this point, the only real fight they’ve had has been a fighter hotel brawl a couple of years ago.

Curtis Calhoun - October 24, 2025

UFC star Justin Gaethje shared a pointed message in response to Paddy Pimblett’s recent claims surrounding an offer on the table to fight Ilia Topuria. Justin Gaethje remains insistent that he’s the most deserving challenger for UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s first title defense in 2026. Gaethje, who hasn’t fought since a win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, has repeatedly drawn a line in the sand surrounding his Octagon return.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 20, 2025

UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria has looked dominant inside the Octagon, but can one strategy halt “El Matador’s” momentum? Many are wondering what’s next for Topuria after he knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round of their title fight back in June to capture the 155-pound gold. Topuria has already secured championships in two different weight classes, and he’s done so with his boxing.

Curtis Calhoun - October 17, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria wants fellow Georgian Merab Dvalishvili to take on his former featherweight rival in pursuit of a second UFC title. Ilia Topuria became the latest two-division UFC champ when he knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 earlier this year. After vacating the featherweight throne, Topuria successfully moved up to lightweight and cemented himself as the pound-for-pound king.

Harry Kettle - October 15, 2025

UFC boss Dana White has teased the idea of Ilia Topuria headlining the first big UFC Paramount card next year. As we know, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will want to make a big splash when they begin their partnership with Paramount in 2026. As such, there’s been a lot of speculation regarding who could take part in the first major event on the network – and one of the names that keeps popping up is none other than UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Cole Shelton - October 7, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria is avoiding him, as he knows he’s a difficult matchup. Tsarukyan is coming off a split decision win over Charles Oliveira back in April of 2024 to become the No. 1 contender. However,  injuries have kept him on the sidelines as he will now headline UFC Qatar against Dan Hooker.

Curtis Calhoun - September 29, 2025

Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes Ilia Topuria has already cemented himself as the greatest fighter in MMA history. Before a loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, Sean O’Malley had Ilia Topuria in his sights for a potential clash inside the Octagon. At the time, O’Malley was the UFC’s bantamweight champion, while Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to become the UFC featherweight titleholder.

Cole Shelton - September 24, 2025

Paddy Pimblett would like to go into enemy territory to face Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title. Pimblett and Topuria have had a feud for years, and all signs point to this fight being next. Although it’s a massive fight that could take place in Las Vegas, Pimblett is hopeful the bout happens in Spain as he wants to beat Topuria in front of his fans.