1. Ilia Topuria is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist.
29 Facts About Ilia Topuria
1. 2.
Ilia Topuria currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is the current UFC Featherweight Champion and the first Georgian fighter to win a UFC championship.
3.
At the age of seven, Topuria moved to Georgia with his family and started practicing Greco-Roman wrestling at a local school.
4.
Ilia Topuria has an older brother, Aleksandre Ilia Topuria, who is a professional mixed martial artist signed to the UFC.
5.
Ilia Topuria has cited the Mexican boxing style, particularly that of Canelo Alvarez, as a major inspiration for his striking, adapting its principles to mixed martial arts.
6.
Ilia Topuria started his career with four straight submission wins on the Spanish regional scene and won a belt in Mix Fight Events promotion.
7.
Ilia Topuria failed to make the agreed weight so despite winning the fight quickly, he did not get the belt.
8.
Ilia Topuria made his promotional debut in Bogota, Colombia, defeating Luis Gomez in the first round by submission; which earned him the award for best performance of the night.
9.
Ilia Topuria faced Damon Jackson on December 5,2020, at UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs Vettori.
10.
Ilia Topuria won the fight via knockout in round one.
11.
Ilia Topuria faced Ryan Hall on July 10,2021, at UFC 264.
12.
Ilia Topuria won the fight via knockout in round one.
13.
Ilia Topuria was scheduled to face Movsar Evloev on January 22,2022, at UFC 270.
14.
However, Ilia Topuria was pulled from the card due to a medical issue related to cutting weight and the bout was cancelled.
15.
Ilia Topuria faced Jai Herbert, replacing Mike Davis, on March 19,2022, at UFC Fight Night 204.
16.
Ilia Topuria suffered a knockdown from a head kick in round one, but recovered and won the fight via knockout in round two.
17.
Ilia Topuria was scheduled to face Edson Barboza on October 29,2022, at UFC Fight Night 213.
18.
Ilia Topuria faced Bryce Mitchell on December 10,2022, at UFC 282.
19.
Ilia Topuria won the fight via submission in round two.
20.
Ilia Topuria was initially scheduled to face Josh Emmett on June 17,2023, at UFC on ESPN 47.
21.
In October 2023, Ilia Topuria was scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski on January 20,2024, for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 297.
22.
Ilia Topuria won the featherweight championship via knockout in the second round, ending Volkanovski's four-year reign as champion.
23.
Ilia Topuria defended his UFC Featherweight Championship against former champion Max Holloway on October 26,2024, at UFC 308.
24.
Ilia Topuria won the fight by knockout in the third round, leading to the first knockout loss of Holloway's career.
25.
UFC president Dana White explained Ilia Topuria's unexpected move, citing difficulties cutting weight, a lack of interest in the division's competition, and a desire to move up to Lightweight permanently.
26.
Ilia Topuria speaks fluent Georgian language and speaks a bit of Mingrelian.
27.
On March 5,2024, Ilia Topuria obtained Spanish citizenship after it was announced at the Council of Ministers press conference.
28.
On March 21,2024, Ilia Topuria was awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia in Orbeliani Palace, Tbilisi, Georgia.
29.
That day Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the government will ensure Ilia Topuria retains his Georgian citizenship, making him a dual citizen of Georgia and Spain.