Georgian and Spanish mixed martial artist (born 1997)
Ilia Topuria (
Georgian : ილია თოფურია ;
[5] born January 21, 1997) is a Georgian and Spanish
[6] professional
mixed martial artist . He currently competes in the
Featherweight division in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current
UFC Featherweight Champion . As of February 20, 2024, he is #5 in the
UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings .
[7]
Background
Topuria was born in
Halle Westfalen , Germany
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11] to Georgian parents who were
refugees from Abkhazia .
[4]
[12]
At the age of seven, Topuria moved to
Georgia with his family and started practicing
Greco-Roman Wrestling at a local school.
[4] At the age of 15, he again relocated to live in
Alicante in Spain, where he started practicing martial arts at the Climent Club.
[13] In 2015, he made his debut as a professional in local competitions.
[14]
[4] Topuria has an older brother, Alexsandre, who is also a professional mixed martial artist signed to the UFC.
[15]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Topuria started his career with four straight submission wins on the Spanish regional scene and won a belt in Mix Fight Events promotion. In 2018, he competed in his first international fight in Cage MMA Finland.
[16] In the same year, in May, he became the first Georgian black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu alongside his brother Alex Topuria. Months later he received the opportunity to fight for the
Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship at the Lotto Arena in
Antwerp, Belgium . Ilia failed to make the agreed weight so despite winning the fight quickly, he did not get the belt.
[17]
In 2019 he signed with
Brave Combat Federation . Ilia made his promotional debut in
Bogotá, Colombia ,
[18] defeating Luis Gomez in the first round by submission;
[19] which earned him the award for best performance of the night.
[20] On November 15, 2019, in Bahrain, he won his second fight in BRAVE by defeating Steven Goncalves by KO in the first round.
[21]
[22]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Topuria, as a replacement for
Seung Woo Choi , took a bout on short notice against
Youssef Zalal on October 11, 2020 at
UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen .
[23] Topuria won the fight via unanimous decision.
[24]
Topuria faced
Damon Jackson on December 5, 2020, at
UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori .
[25] He won the fight via knockout in round one.
[26]
Topuria faced
Ryan Hall on July 10, 2021, at
UFC 264 .
[27] He won the fight via knockout in round one.
[28]
Topuria was scheduled to face
Movsar Evloev on January 22, 2022, at
UFC 270 .
[29] However, Evloev withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and
[30] was replaced by
Charles Jourdain .
[31] However, Topuria was pulled from the card due to a medical issue related to cutting weight and the bout was cancelled.
[32]
Topuria faced
Jai Herbert , replacing
Mike Davis , on March 19, 2022, at
UFC Fight Night 204 .
[33] Topuria suffered a knockdown from a head kick in round one, but recovered and won the fight via knockout in round two.
[34] With this win, he received the
Performance of the Night award.
[35]
Topuria was scheduled to face
Edson Barboza on October 29, 2022, at
UFC Fight Night 213 .
[36] However, Barboza withdrew in late September due to a knee injury and the bout was cancelled.
Topuria faced
Bryce Mitchell on December 10, 2022, at
UFC 282 .
[37] He won the fight via submission in round two.
[38] This win earned him the
Performance of the Night award.
[39]
Topuria was initially scheduled to face
Josh Emmett on June 17, 2023, at
UFC on ESPN 47 .
[40] However, the promotion later announced that the bout was shifted to headline
UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria on June 24, 2023.
[41] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
[42] The bout earned him the
Fight of the Night award.
[43]
UFC Featherweight Champion
Topuria was scheduled to face
Alexander Volkanovski on January 20, 2024, for the
UFC Featherweight Championship at
UFC 297 .
[44] However, Volkanovski was instead pulled to face
Islam Makhachev for the
UFC Lightweight Championship at
UFC 294 .
[45] As a result, this fight was pushed back one month to headline
UFC 298 on February 17, 2024.
[46] He won the bout via knockout in the second round, ending Volkanovski's four-year reign as champion.
[47] This fight earned him the
Performance of the Night award.
[48]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Personal life
Topuria accepting an award from the President of Georgia at the
Orbeliani Palace
Topuria speaks fluent
Georgian language and also speaks a bit of
Mingrelian .
[50]
[51]
[52] Topuria and his partner have a son (born 2019).
[53]
On March 5, 2024, Topuria obtained Spanish citizenship after it was announced in the
Council Of Ministers at press conference.
[54]
[55]
On March 21, 2024, Topuria has been awarded
the Order of Honor by the
President of
Georgia in
Orbeliani Palace ,
Tbilisi , Georgia.
[56]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
15 matches
15 wins
0 losses
By knockout
5
0
By submission
8
0
By decision
2
0
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
15–0
Alexander Volkanovski
KO (punch)
UFC 298
February 17, 2024
2
3:32
Anaheim ,
California , United States
Won the
UFC Featherweight Championship . Performance of the Night.
Win
14–0
Josh Emmett
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria
June 24, 2023
5
5:00
Jacksonville, Florida , United States
Fight of the Night.
Win
13–0
Bryce Mitchell
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
UFC 282
December 10, 2022
2
3:10
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Return to Featherweight. Performance of the Night.
Win
12–0
Jai Herbert
KO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall
March 19, 2022
2
1:07
London , England
Lightweight debut. Performance of the Night.
Win
11–0
Ryan Hall
KO (punches)
UFC 264
July 10, 2021
1
4:47
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
10–0
Damon Jackson
KO (punch)
UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori
December 5, 2020
1
2:38
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
9–0
Youssef Zalal
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen
October 11, 2020
3
5:00
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Win
8–0
Stephen Goncalves
KO (punches)
Brave CF 29
November 15, 2019
1
3:42
Isa Town , Bahrain
Win
7–0
Luis Gomez
Submission (triangle straight armbar)
Brave CF 26
September 7, 2019
1
1:15
Bogotá , Colombia
Return to Featherweight.
Win
6–0
Brian Bouland
Technical Submission (anaconda choke)
Cage Warriors 94
June 16, 2018
1
1:39
Antwerp , Belgium
For the vacant
Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship ; Topuria missed weight (139.4 lb) and was ineligible to win the title.
Win
5–0
Mika Hämäläinen
Submission (guillotine choke)
CAGE 43
April 28, 2018
1
3:35
Helsinki , Finland
Bantamweight debut.
Win
4–0
Jhon Guarin
Submission (guillotine choke)
Mix Fight Events 2
November 5, 2016
2
2:50
Valencia , Spain
Won the vacant MFE Featherweight Championship.
Win
3–0
Daniel Vasquez
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Mix Fight Events
May 7, 2016
1
1:50
Alicante , Spain
Catchweight (141 lb) bout.
Win
2–0
Kalil Martin El Chalibi
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Climent Show MMA 4
May 9, 2015
1
1:03
Alicante , Spain
Win
1–0
Francisco Javier Asprilla
Submission (triangle choke)
West Coast Warriors
April 4, 2015
1
3:30
Valencia , Spain
Featherweight debut.
[57]
Pay-per-view bouts
See also
References
^
"El Gobierno concede la nacionalidad española a Ilia Topuria" . El Español (in Spanish). 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05 .
^
"Stats | UFC" . ufcstats.com .
Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021 .
^
a
b Raj Ghosalkar (December 10, 2022).
"Ilia Topuria's BJJ Background and His Coaches: Is Ilia Topuria A Black Belt?" . Sportsmanor.com.
Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^
a
b
c
d
Ariel Helwani (January 20, 2022).
Ilia Topuria Explains How MMA Career Began By Skipping School - MMA Fighting .
Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022 – via YouTube.
^ 3.25.21
UFC-ში ილია თოფურიას მომდევნო მეტოქე ცნობილია
Archived 2022-07-05 at the
Wayback Machine
Imedi Media Holding
^
"El Gobierno concede la nacionalidad española a Ilia Topuria" . El Español (in Spanish). 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05 .
^
"UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com" . www.ufc.com .
Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2024-03-01 .
^
"UFC 264 video: Ilia Topuria catches spinning back kick, KO's Ryan Hall" . FIGHTMAG . 2021-07-11.
Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2022-01-17 .
^ E. Spencer Kyte (2020-11-30).
"Ilia Topuria Wants The World To Know His Name | UFC" . www.ufc.com .
Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-17 .
^ Ross Markey (2021-03-23).
"Report - Ryan Hall vs. Ilia Topuria slated for UFC 264 on July 10th. -" . FIGHT BANANAS .
Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-17 .
^
"Ilia Topuriadef. Youssef Zalal :: UFC on ESPN+ 37 :: MMA Decisions" . mmadecisions.com .
Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-17 .
^
"UFC-ის ქართველი ჩემპიონი, Post Factum ილია თოფურიას ოჯახიდან" .
^ Gonzalo Campos MMA,
MMA On The Road - Ilia Topuria ,
archived from the original on 2021-07-09, retrieved 2021-07-10
^
"Buscar En Mi Web" (in Spanish).
Archived from the original on 2019-11-28. Retrieved 2021-07-10 .
^
ESPN (February 14, 2024).
Ilia Topuria discusses his confidence ahead of UFC 298 title fight vs. Alex Volkanovski | ESPN MMA – via YouTube.
^ Jyrki Nurminen (April 28, 2018).
"Live Results : Cage 43" . mmaviking.com .
Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022 .
^ Prates, Fernanda (June 16, 2018).
"Cage Warriors 94: Ilia Topuria makes quick work of Brian Bouland" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com .
Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021 .
^
"KienyKe | El placer de Saber, Ver y Oír Más" . KienyKe (in Spanish).
Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-10 .
^
"Brave CF 26 | MMA Event" . Tapology .
Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2021 .
^
"Login • Instagram" . www.instagram.com .
Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2021-07-10 .
^ Farah Hannoun (2019-11-16).
"Brave CF 29 results: Azamat Murzakanov runs through competition to win KHK open weight title" . MMA Junkie .
Archived from the original on 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-02-22 .
^ Farah Hannoun (2019-11-15).
"Oh Georgia! Ilia Topuria and Guram Kutateladze score big knockouts at Brave CF 29" . MMA Junkie .
Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-10 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2020-10-02).
"Toptalent Ilia Topuria tekent bij de UFC, treft Youssef Zalal op 10 oktober in Abu Dhabi" . MMA DNA (in Dutch).
Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2022-01-21 .
^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-10-10).
"UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Ilia Topuria Stays Undefeated in Debut Win Over Youssef Zalal" . Cageside Press .
Archived from the original on 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2020-10-11 .
^ Jamal Boussenaf (2020-11-07).
"Ilia Topuria neemt het op 5 december op tegen Damon Jackson" . MMA DNA (in Dutch).
Archived from the original on 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2022-01-21 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2020-12-05).
"UFC Vegas 16 Results: Ilia Topuria Absolutely Floors Damon Jackson" . Cageside Press .
Archived from the original on 2020-12-06. Retrieved 2020-12-06 .
^ Farah Hannoun and Danny Segura (2021-03-24).
"Ryan Hall vs. Ilia Topuria added to UFC's July 10 event" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com .
Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2021-03-24 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2021-07-10).
"UFC 264 Results: Ilia Topuria Overcomes Awkward Attacks, Finishes Ryan Hall Early" . Cageside Press .
Archived from the original on 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2021-07-11 .
^ Alexander K. Lee (2021-10-25).
"Movsar Evloev vs. Ilia Topuria in the works for UFC 270" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-10-25 .
^ Heck, Mike (2022-01-11).
"Movsar Evloev scratched from UFC 270, Ilia Topuria calls for Dan Ige to replace" . MMA Fighting .
Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-01-12 .
^ Jay Pettry.
"Charles Jourdain to Face Ilia Topuria on Short Notice at UFC 270" . Sherdog .
Archived from the original on 2022-01-16. Retrieved 2022-01-14 .
^ Law, Eddie (2022-01-21).
"Ilia Topuria Out Of Charles Jourdain Bout At UFC 270" . Cageside Press .
Archived from the original on 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2022-01-22 .
^
"Mike Davis isn't facing Jai Herbert at UFC London because 'it just doesn't make sense to take the fight' " . MMA Junkie . 2022-02-12.
Archived from the original on 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2022-02-18 .
^ Behunin, Alex (2022-03-19).
"UFC London: Ilia Topuria Flatlines Jai Herbert In The Second Round" . Cageside Press .
Archived from the original on 2022-03-19. Retrieved 2022-03-19 .
^
a
b
"UFC Fight Night 204 bonuses: Nine fighters go home with $50,000" . MMA Junkie . 2022-03-19.
Archived from the original on 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2022-03-20 .
^
"UFC books Edson Barboza vs. Ilia Topuria for Oct. 29 event" . MMA Junkie . 2022-07-29.
Archived from the original on 2022-07-29. Retrieved 2022-07-30 .
^
"Bryce Mitchell vs. Ilia Topuria being finalized for UFC 282 in Las Vegas" . MMA Junkie . 2022-10-24.
Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-28 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2022-12-10).
"UFC 282: Ilia Topuria Stuns, Submits Bryce Mitchell in Dominant Showing" . Cageside Press .
Archived from the original on 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2022-12-11 .
^
a
b Hiergesell, Dan (2022-12-11).
"Bonuses! All Fighters With Finishes Collect $50K" . MMAmania.com .
Archived from the original on 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2022-12-11 .
^ Cole Shelton (2023-03-29).
"Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria set to headline UFC Fight Night card in June" . bjpenn.com.
Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29 .
^ Matthew Wells (April 20, 2023).
"Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria gets new date, now headlines UFC on ABC 5 on June 24" .
MMAjunkie.com .
Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023 .
^ Lee, Alexander K. (2023-06-24).
"UFC Jacksonville results: Ilia Topuria puts on complete performance to dominate gutsy Josh Emmett" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2023-06-24 .
^
a
b Matt Erickson (2023-06-24).
"UFC on ABC 5 bonuses: Ilia Topuria's 50-42 scorecard helps net extra $50,000" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-06-24 .
^
"Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria set for UFC 297 - MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos" . MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos . Retrieved 2023-10-10 .
^ Damon Martin (2023-10-10).
"Charles Oliveira out; Alexander Volkanovski now faces Islam Makhachev in UFC 294 main event" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-11-06 .
^ Colby Faria (2023-11-06).
"Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria Featherweight Title Bout Headlines UFC 298" . mmanews.com. Retrieved 2023-11-06 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2024-02-18).
"UFC 298: Ilia Topuria Wins Featherweight Gold with Thunderous KO of Alexander Volkanovski" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-03-23 .
^
a
b Dan Hiergesell (2024-02-18).
"Bonuses! Ilia Topuria cleans up, banks $50K for title fight KO - UFC 298" . mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-02-18 .
^ Mike Bohn (January 2, 2023).
"MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month for December 2022: Ilia Topuria ends Bryce Mitchell's run" .
MMAjunkie.com .
Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023 .
^
“ქართული კი არა, ცოტა მეგრულიც ვიცი...“ , MCM: 19 February 2024
^
"ქართული რომ არ ვიცოდე მოსაკლავი ვიქნებოდი, ქართველმა კაცმა, ქართული უნდა იცოდეს, ცოტა მეგრულიც ვიცი" - რა უპასუხა ილია თოფურიამ ქართველი გულშემატკივრის შეკითხვას?
^
Ilia Topuria #WithNoe ,
Imedi Media Holding , Feb 25, 2024
^ E. Spencer Kyte (December 1, 2020).
"Ilia Topuria Wants The World To Know His Name" .
Ultimate Fighting Championship .
^
"El Gobierno concede la nacionalidad española a Ilia Topuria" . El Español (in Spanish). 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05 .
^
"Ilia Topuria ya es español: el Gobierno le concede la nacionalidad al campeón de la UFC" . Diario ABC (in Spanish). 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05 .
^
"პრეზიდენტმა ილია თოფურია ღირსების ორდენით დააჯილდოვა" . რადიო თავისუფლება (in Georgian). 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-21 .
^
"Ilia Topuria" . Sherdog . Retrieved 18 February 2024 .
^
"UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria | MMA Event" . Tapology .
External links