Ilia Topuria

Georgian and Spanish mixed martial artist (born 1997) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ilia Topuria (Georgian: ილია თოფურია;[11] born January 21, 1997) is a Georgian[2] and Spanish[3] professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Lightweight Champion. A professional since 2015, Topuria is the former UFC Featherweight Champion, becoming the first Georgian and Spanish fighter to win a UFC championship.[12] As of November 18, 2025, he is #2 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[13]

Born (1997-01-21) January 21, 1997 (age 29)
Halle, Germany
Native nameილია თოფურია[1]
Other namesEl Matador
NationalityGeorgian[2]
Spanish[3]
Quick facts Born, Native name ...
Ilia Topuria
Topuria in 2024
Born (1997-01-21) January 21, 1997 (age 29)
Halle, Germany
Native nameილია თოფურია[1]
Other namesEl Matador
NationalityGeorgian[2]
Spanish[3]
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[4][5][6]
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionBantamweight (2018)
Featherweight (2015–2021, 2022–2025)
Lightweight (2022, 2025-)
Reach69 in (175 cm)[7]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofAlicante, Spain
TeamCliment Club (2012–2025)[8][9]
Topuria Team (2025–present)
RankBlack belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Jorge and Agustín Climent[10][8]
Years active2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins17
By knockout7
By submission8
By decision2
Losses0
Other information
Websiteiliatopuriaoficial.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Signature
Ilia Topuria signature
YouTube information
Channel
Subscribers533 thousand
Views42.3 million
Last updated: February 13, 2026
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In 2015, Topuria first began professionally competing in local Spanish mixed martial arts organizations competing mainly at the Featherweight division. He won the vacant MFE Featherweight title before competing in both Cage Warriors and Brave Combat Federation. In 2020, Topuria officially signed with the UFC and won his first 6 fights in the promotion, including a dominant decision win over Josh Emmett which earned him a title shot.[14] Ilia challenged Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 for the UFC Featherweight Championship at February 17th, 2024, winning via knockout in the second round.[15] In October 26th, 2024 Topuria secured his first title defense against the former UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway whom he stopped in the third round at UFC 308.[16] After vacating the belt it was announced that Topuria would face the former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira for the Vacant Lightweight title.[17] Topuria knocked Oliveira in just 2 minutes and 27 seconds becoming the first UFC two-division champion while maintaining an undefeated record.[18]

Background

Topuria was born in Halle Westfalen, Germany.[19][20][21][22] to Georgian parents who were refugees from Abkhazia.[10][23] At the age of seven, Topuria moved to Georgia with his family and started practicing Greco-Roman wrestling at a local school.[10] After the Russo-Georgian War, at the age of 15, they once again relocated, this time to Alicante, Spain.[24] He began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Climent gym at the age of 15, before switching over to mixed martial arts.[25] In 2015, he made his debut as a professional in local competitions.[26][10] Topuria has an older brother, Aleksandre Topuria, who is also a professional mixed martial artist signed to the UFC.[27]

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 at Cage MMA Finland.[28] In May 2018, 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.[29]

In 2019, he signed with Brave Combat Federation. Ilia made his promotional debut in Bogotá, Colombia,[30] defeating Luis Gomez in the first round by submission;[31] which earned him the award for best performance of the night. On November 15, 2019, in Bahrain, he won his second fight in BRAVE by defeating Steven Goncalves by KO in the first round.[32][33]

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.[34] Topuria won the fight via unanimous decision.[35]

Topuria faced Damon Jackson on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori.[36] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[37]

Topuria faced Ryan Hall on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264.[38] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[39]

Topuria was scheduled to face Movsar Evloev on January 22, 2022, at UFC 270.[40] However, Evloev withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and [41] was replaced by Charles Jourdain.[42] However, Topuria was pulled from the card due to a medical issue related to cutting weight and the bout was cancelled.[43]

Topuria faced Jai Herbert, replacing Mike Davis, on March 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 204.[44] Topuria suffered a knockdown from a head kick in round one, but recovered and won the fight via knockout in round two.[45] With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.[46]

Topuria was scheduled to face Edson Barboza on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213.[47] However, Barboza withdrew in late September due to a knee injury.[48]

Topuria faced Bryce Mitchell on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282.[49] He won the fight via submission in round two.[50] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[51]

Topuria was initially scheduled to face Josh Emmett on June 17, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 47.[52] However, the bout was shifted to headline UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria on June 24, 2023.[53] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[54] The bout earned him the Fight of the Night award.[55]

UFC Featherweight Champion

In October 2023, Topuria was scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski on January 20, 2024, for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 297.[56] However, on 10 days' notice replacing an injured Charles Oliveira, Volkanovski faced Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 294 on October 21, 2023, and was knocked out in the first round.[57] As a result, Topuria vs. Volkanovski was pushed back one month to headline UFC 298 on February 17, 2024.[58] Topuria won the featherweight championship via knockout in the second round, ending Volkanovski's four-year reign.[59] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[60]

Topuria defended his UFC Featherweight Championship against former champion Max Holloway on October 26, 2024, at UFC 308.[61] He won by knockout in the third round, the first knockout loss of Holloway's career.[62] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[63]

Vacating title

Despite rumors of a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski,[64][65] on February 19, 2025, it was announced Topuria would vacate his title as soon as the featherweight championship main event at UFC 314 started.[66] UFC president Dana White explained 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.[67]

UFC Lightweight Champion

Topuria faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship on June 28, 2025, at UFC 317.[68] He defeated Oliveira by knockout at 2:27 of the first round, becoming the 10th multi-division champion in UFC history.[69] He became the first UFC two-division champion while maintaining an undefeated record.[18] The fighter earned him another Performance of the Night award.[70] Following the bout, Topuria was promoted to #1 in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.[71] However, the #1 ranking was given back to Islam Makhachev on November 19, 2025, after he claimed the welterweight championship.[72]

In November 2025, Topuria announced that he would not compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal reasons.[73]

Topuria is scheduled to make his first title defense against interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event on June 14, 2026 at UFC Freedom 250.[74]

Fighting style and training

Initially coming into the UFC organization with a strong base in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Topuria dedicated himself to enhancing his stand-up game, developing a boxing-heavy approach under the guidance of experienced coaches. His boxing style is marked by precise shot selection, fluid combinations, and remarkable power, which was on full display during his knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. Topuria's execution of boxing is strategic, using his footwork and positioning to set up clean, fight-altering punches.[75][76] Topuria is also known for his defensive techniques such as his use of the shoulder roll against Josh Emmett.[77][78] He has cited the Mexican boxing style, particularly that of Canelo Álvarez, as a major inspiration for his striking, adapting its principles to mixed martial arts.[79]

Topuria has trained with fellow Georgian and former UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, who has praised Topuria's grappling skills, stating that he has "great wrestling, great jiu-jitsu,". Dvalishvili also brought up Topuria's striking power, stating that he "hits hard" and Topuria had dropped him twice with body shots in sparring sessions.[80]

Personal life

Topuria accepting an award from the President of Georgia at the Orbeliani Palace

Topuria is fluent in Georgian, English, Spanish, and also speaks a bit of Mingrelian.[81][82][83] Topuria has a son (born 2019) and daughter (born 2024) from his previous wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell.[84][85][86]

In August of 2025 Topuria's relationship with his former spouse Giorgina Uzcategui officially ended and Topuria filed a civil divorce petition in Spain in late October of that same year.[87] According to El Mundo Topuria was called to Court of Violence against Women on January 7th, 2026 following a criminal complaint.[88] Topuria refuted these claims stating that it was a family and administrative matter involving an issue related to his daughter's travel outside of Spain.[89]

Topuria is a Christian.[90][91][92]

Topuria's older brother Aleksandre, also a mixed martial artist, debuted with the UFC in February 2025 at UFC 312.[93]

On March 5, 2024, Topuria obtained Spanish citizenship after it was announced at the Council of Ministers press conference.[3][94]

On March 21, 2024, Topuria was awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia in Orbeliani Palace, Tbilisi, Georgia.[95] That day, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the government will ensure Ilia retains his Georgian citizenship, making him a dual citizen of Georgia and Spain.[2]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 17 wins 0 losses
By knockout 7 0
By submission 8 0
By decision 2 0
More information Res., Record ...
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 17–0 Charles Oliveira KO (punches) UFC 317 June 28, 2025 1 2:27 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Lightweight. Won the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win 16–0 Max Holloway KO (punches) UFC 308 October 26, 2024 3 1:34 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Defended the UFC Featherweight Championship. Performance of the Night. Later vacated the title on April 12, 2025.
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 (punches) 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 Steven 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 28 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 26 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) Mix Fight Events 17 April 4, 2015 1 3:30 Valencia, Spain Featherweight debut.
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[121]

Pay-per-view bouts

More information No., Event ...
No. Event Fight Date Venue City PPV Buys
1. UFC 298 Volkanovski vs. Topuria February 17, 2024 Honda Center Anaheim, California, United States Not Disclosed[122]
2. UFC 308 Topuria vs. Holloway October 26, 2024 Etihad Arena Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Not Disclosed[123]
3. UFC 317 Topuria vs. Oliveira June 28, 2025 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Not Disclosed[124]
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See also

References

External links

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