Ilia Topuria News
Islam Makhachev's coach reveals what Ilia Topuria must do to get UFC super fight: 'Now people will look at him like he’s a lightweight'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2024
Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez believes Ilia Topuria must prove himself as a lightweight if he wants a title shot at 155 pounds. Topuria currently holds the UFC Featherweight Championship. “El Matador” recently teased moving up to the lightweight division, although he has since clarified that a decision hasn’t been made at this time. Topuria has made it clear that a future showdown with Makhachev is on his mind, although the feeling doesn’t appear to be mutual.
Ilia Topuria shoots down rumored fight against Conor McGregor: "I'm not interested in fighting a rapist"
Josh Evanoff - December 17, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has no interest in facing Conor McGregor. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Just months after defeating Alexander Volkanovski to win featherweight gold, Ilia Topuria met Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ entered the bout riding high off a knockout win over Justin Gaethje up at lightweight in April.
Islam Makhachev's retirement timeframe possibly revealed by coach, UFC super fight against Ilia Topuria dismissed
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 16, 2024
Islam Makhachev might ride off into the sunset sooner than fans are hoping for. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion. He’s scheduled to put his gold at stake against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 on January 18th. If he’s able to emerge victorious, then it would be the fourth successful title defense for the 155-pound ruler.
Ilia Topuria explains decision to move up to lightweight for his next fight: “I will not leave the title vacant”
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is elaborating on his comments about a lightweight move. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Just months after dethroning Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria met another featherweight great in the form of Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ earned the title bout riding a wave of momentum, having knocked out Justin Gaethje in April in a rare lightweight appearance.
Paddy Pimblett gives his thoughts on Ilia Topuria's potential lightweight move
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria potentially making the move up to lightweight. For the longest time, Paddy Pimblett has been one of the biggest names in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While you may not be a big fan of him, nobody can deny the success he’s enjoyed since arriving in the promotion a few years ago.
Daniel Cormier shares interesting theory on Ilia Topuria's callout of Charles Oliveira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Daniel Cormier has shared why he thinks Ilia Topuria called out Charles Oliveira. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion, but he has flirted with the idea of moving up to lightweight. In fact, he has already shown interest in expediting the process. More recently, “El Matador” suggest a clash with Oliveira where the winner gets a shot at the 155-pound gold.
Conor McGregor calls out 'wannabe' featherweight champ Ilia Topuria
Zain Bando - December 10, 2024
Conor McGregor is back beefing with champions instead of worrying about his personal issues. Based on McGregor’s status with the UFC and Dana White’s non-committal stance regarding McGregor’s legal troubles, a return to MMA is anything but priority.
Dustin Poirier intrigued with Ilia Topuria's potential move to lightweight
Zain Bando - December 10, 2024
Dustin Poirier has responded to Ilia Topuria’s potential plans to move up to lightweight. Poirier, the former UFC interim lightweight champion, is itching for one more fight before his eventual retirement.
Islam Makhachev downplays future fight against fellow UFC champion Ilia Topuria: "What will that do for me?"
Josh Evanoff - December 4, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t very interested in facing Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Back for the first time since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria met Max Holloway. Ahead of the contest, both featherweights were discussing a move to 155 pounds. For his part, ‘Blessed’ was coming off a knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.
Charles Oliveira cautions Ilia Topuria against moving up to lightweight: “This is a very tough division”
Harry Kettle - November 15, 2024
Charles Oliveira has cautioned Ilia Topuria against moving up to lightweight as he continues to shine at featherweight. There’s a lot to be said for the rise of Ilia Topuria. Over the course of the last few years, he has emerged as one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts. In his last two fights, he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and proceeded to knock out Max Holloway – which is an absolutely crazy two-bout streak to have on your resume.
UFC legend thinks Ilia Topuria is on pace to surpass Conor McGregor's stardom
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 8, 2024
One former UFC title challenger believes Ilia Topuria is on track to run past Conor McGregor in terms of stardom. Topuria has certainly seen his stock soar thanks to his success rate inside the Octagon. It also helps that Topuria is charismatic and has become a big name in Spain. After results such as being the first fighter to knock Max Holloway out, Topuria might just see himself becoming the hottest active star in the UFC.
Diego Lopes previews future fight against UFC champion Ilia Topuria: "He's going to crash into a wall"
Josh Evanoff - November 6, 2024
UFC featherweight Diego Lopes has opened up on a future fight against Ilia Topuria. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a clash with Brian Ortega at UFC 306 in September. That night saw Diego Lopes hand the former featherweight title challenger a dominant decision defeat. With the victory, the rising contender earned the opportunity to be the backup for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway the following month.
Ilia Topuria’s mother says it was a “daily routine” for ‘El Matador’ to fight in the streets: “It was not rare”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2024
Ilia Topuria’s mother has said that it was pretty common for the UFC star to fight in the streets when he was younger. Right now, Ilia Topuria is widely considered to be one of the best fighters on the planet. He has dominated the featherweight division and in his last two fights, he’s been able to knock out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. In the modern age, you just don’t see runs of form like that.
Diego Lopes makes his case for the next crack at Ilia Topuria and offers to fight him in Spain: “This fight will be a renewal”
Harry Kettle - November 1, 2024
UFC star Diego Lopes has made it crystal clear that he wants the next shot at UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Over the course of the last few years, Diego Lopes has emerged as a real contender at featherweight. He has dusted off a parade of big names, including Brian Ortega most recently. Now, he has his eyes on the prize – the UFC featherweight championship.
Sean O'Malley still gives Ilia Topuria problems in UFC fight, says coach Tim Welch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 31, 2024
Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch has full belief in his fighter to give Ilia Topuria some issues if they ever fight. O’Malley may have lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Merab Dvalishvili back in September, but Welch believes a future clash with Topuria remains possible. Obviously, the “Suga” show will need to focus on regaining the 135-pound gold before looking at the featherweight king.
Dana White ponders decision to leave BMF title out of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway fight at UFC 308
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 30, 2024
Dana White had second thoughts about his decision not to throw in the BMF title for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway. Topuria put his featherweight gold at stake against Holloway in the UFC 308 headliner. Ahead of the fight, Topuria wanted the BMF title to be on the line. The UFC brass weren’t on board with the idea.
Diego Lopes calls to face Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in interim title fight: "Ilia wants to take time off..."
Josh Evanoff - October 29, 2024
If Ilia Topuria is taking time off, Diego Lopes wants Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in Australia. ‘El Matador’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 over the weekend. Back for the first time since winning featherweight gold against Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria met ‘Blessed’. Max Holloway earned the title shot with a stunning knockout victory over Justin Gaethje in April.
Alexander Volkanovski believes Ilia Topuria could KO Islam Makhachev if he tries champ-champ status
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski believes that Ilia Topuria could become a champ-champ if he tries to. Topuria is the UFC’s featherweight champion and is coming off a TKO win over Max Holloway to defend his belt at UFC 308. He became the first person to knockout Holloway, as he showed off his insane power.