Ilia Topuria News

BJ Penn Staff - April 15, 2025

It’s been a little while since a UFC star appeared on an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. The wait is over, thanks to a recent visit from former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Topuria is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC right now, sporting a perfect 16-0 record. He has spent the bulk of his career competing in the featherweight division. In early 2024, he captured the division’s title with a knockout of featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski. Later in the year, he defended the title with a knockout of another legend in Max Holloway. He was the first man to stop Holloway with strikes.

Harry Kettle - April 14, 2025

UFC star Paddy Pimblett has explained why he didn’t call out long-time rival Ilia Topuria after his win at UFC 314. On Saturday night, Paddy Pimblett picked up the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career. He defeated Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314 in Miami, and he did so pretty convincingly. He dominated Chandler from start to finish before eventually getting the TKO win in the third round.

Harry Kettle - April 12, 2025

UFC newcomer Aaron Pico has made an interesting claim regarding his abilities in comparison to Ilia Topuria. As we know, Aaron Pico has made his way into the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Ever since his arrival, many have wondered what kind of future he could have in the promotion. Some believe he’s ready to mix it up with the very best in the featherweight division, whereas others are of the belief that he needs a few warm-up fights before getting there.

Cole Shelton - April 11, 2025

Ilia Topuria has made a bold prediction for when he fights Islam Makhachev. Topuria vacated his featherweight title as he announced he’d move up to lightweight. Although many expected him to get an immediate title shot against Islam Makhachev but that hasn’t happened yet. If he does fight Makhachev, he is confident he will be able to take down the champ and submit him.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 6, 2025

Dan Hooker doesn’t believe Ilia Topuria did anything spectacular that led to his finish over Alexander Volkanovski. Back in Feb. 2024, Topuria challenged Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship. The bout didn’t make it out of the second round, as Topuria knocked Volknaovski out to become the new 145-pound titleholder. He followed that up with a third-round knockout victory over Max Holloway.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2025

Henry Cejudo believes one UFC legend will play a role in Islam Makhachev’s next fight. Much has been made about what’s next in the UFC lightweight title picture. Ilia Topuria recently vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship. While many assumed “La Leyenda” would get the next crack at Makhachev’s 155-pound gold, UFC CEO Dana White told reporters that it isn’t a guarantee.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025

Ilia Topuria has provided an update on his next fight with a big claim. Topuria will officially vacate the UFC Featherweight Championship once the UFC 314 main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes begins. When it was announced that Topuria is moving up to the 155-pound division, many assumed that “El Leyenda” will be getting a shot at Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Championship. UFC CEO Dana White told reporters that Makhachev vs. Topuria isn’t a lock for the next lightweight title fight.

BJ Penn Staff - March 25, 2025

UFC star Ilia Topuria has unveiled his new Octagon nickname ahead of his move up to the lightweight division. The Georgian-Spanish MMA star has, to this point, fought with the nickname “El Matador.” However, he recently revealed plans to change his nickname ahead of his next fight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2025

Joe Rogan has a stunning outlook for a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria fight. When Dana White announced that Topuria is vacating the UFC Featherweight Championship, many thought “El Matador” would get an immediate crack at Makhachev’s lightweight gold. Ariel Helwani even reported that the UFC was looking to book the matchup possibly as early as International Fight Week. White told reporters that Makhachev has other options on the table and that the Topuria fight wasn’t a lock.

Harry Kettle - March 23, 2025

Ilia Topuria has advised Charles Oliveira to quiet down as the former continues to prepare for his move to lightweight. Right now, the lightweight division is being defined by one storyline: Ilia Topuria’s move up from featherweight. After dominating at 145 pounds, he’s ready to try and do the same at 155. Some believe that he could go straight into a world title shot against Islam Makhachev, whereas others are of the belief that he is more likely to take on a contender first.

Harry Kettle - March 21, 2025

UFC champion Ilia Topuria has suggested that when he returns to the Octagon, he’ll be doing so with an entirely new identity. Every now and then, a fighter comes along who doesn’t even seem human. They are able to put everything together in a way that defies logic – especially in a sport like mixed martial arts. There are a couple of examples of this in recent years but right now, there’s one man that is on everyone’s lips: Ilia Topuria.

BJ Penn Staff - March 18, 2025

Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria are two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC right now, and there is only one man who has fought them both: Alexander Volkanovski. Australia’s Volkanovski has actually fought Makhachev twice, both times for the lightweight title. He lost their first fight with a razor-close decision, and their second by first-round KO. Of course it’s worth noting he took the second fight on short notice. He fought Topuria in his last fight, surrendering the title with a second-round knockout loss. He is perhaps the best win on Makhachev or Topuria’s resume.

Harry Kettle - March 18, 2025

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has issued a warning to Ilia Topuria ahead of the latter’s move up to 155 pounds. As we know, Ilia Topuria is planning on making the move up to the lightweight division following his incredible success at featherweight. While nobody knows for sure who he’ll fight next, there’s a good chance he could challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship in an immediate bid to win a second world title in the UFC.

Harry Kettle - March 17, 2025

A former UFC star has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria’s impending move up to the promotion’s lightweight division. As we know, Ilia Topuria is set for a stint at 155 pounds after winning the world title at featherweight. Some were taken by surprise by this decision, given that he’s only defended the strap once since winning it. With that being said, he clearly has his eyes on an even bigger accomplishment as he pushes for superstardom.

Cole Shelton - March 14, 2025

Diego Lopes is confident Ilia Topuria will do well at lightweight. Topuria vacated his featherweight title so he can move up to lightweight. With the belt vacated, Lopes will headline UFC 314 against Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant title. Although Lopes is focused on his own fight, he says he will pay attention to how Topuria does at lightweight and expects the former champ to have success.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 14, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan believes the next UFC lightweight title challenger will be Ilia Topuria. Recently, Dana White announced that the main event of UFC 314 will determine a new UFC Featherweight Champion. Topuria will officially vacate the 145-pound gold once Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes begins. Topuria made the decision to relinquish the featherweight title in favor of moving up to the lightweight division.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 10, 2025

Paddy Pimblett doesn’t believe Ilia Topuria should get an immediate UFC lightweight title shot. Topuria recently vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship to move up to the 155-pound division. While Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is planning to book “El Matador” against Islam Makhachev, possibly as early as International Fight Week, UFC CEO Dana White hasn’t publicly committed to the matchup.

Josh Evanoff - March 6, 2025

Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria hopes to have his next fight announced soon. ‘El Matador’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a stunning knockout win over Max Holloway in October. Following that stoppage victory at UFC 308, Ilia Topuria teased a move up to the lightweight division. While Dana White publicly shot down the possibility of the featherweight moving up so quickly, he seemingly made a u-turn on that idea.