Ilia Topuria News

Harry Kettle - April 17, 2025

Ilia Topuria has issued a warning to Conor McGregor ahead of a potential superfight between the two men in the future. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the fastest rising stars in all of mixed martial arts. The former UFC featherweight champion has already achieved some great things in the sport and as we look ahead to the future, he looks set for even greater success as he prepares to make a run at the lightweight belt. In the next few years, fans are expecting some pretty special things from ‘El Matador’.

Cole Shelton - April 16, 2025

Ilia Topuria is confident his next fight will be against Islam Makhachev. Topuira vacated his featherweight title as he planned to move up to lightweight. The thought was that he would face Makhachev for the belt right away. However, the lightweight champ has said he doesn’t want to fight Topuria and instead believes he needs to get a win first.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 16, 2025

Ilia Topuria has reacted to Paddy Pimblett’s dominant UFC 314 win over Michael Chandler. Pimblett has been a rising star in the UFC lightweight division, but many wondered how he would fare against “Iron.” It was a high-profile fight for “The Baddy,” and he passed the test with exceptional results. He battered Chandler to score a third-round TKO finish. It was a one-sided thrashing, and Pimblett has now emerged as a top lightweight contender.

BJ Penn Staff - April 15, 2025

UFC star Islam Makhachev does not want to fight Ilia Topuria — at least, if his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov is to be believed. Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion. He is also the top fighter in the promotion’s hallowed pound-for-pound rankings. That list also includes Topuria, who is a touch lower down the list.

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 7, 2025

Paddy Pimblett is hoping to get a chance to face Ilia Topuria. Pimblett and Topuria have had some beef over the years. “The Baddy” even threw a hand sanitizer bottle at “La Leyenda” in a fighter hotel lobby. The two have continued to trade barbs, and it’s left many wondering if a matchup will become a reality in the future.

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

One former standup warrior under the UFC banner has made his pick for Islam Makhachev’s next UFC lightweight title challenger. UFC CEO Dana White recently told reporters that Makhachev isn’t short on options when it comes to his next championship defense. The 155-pound ruler has key names such as Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, and of course, Ilia Topuria gunning for his gold. While “El Matador” recently vacated the 145-pound title, it appears he is not guaranteed a crack at the 155-pound championship.

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 18, 2025

One legendary UFC name finds it insulting for Islam Makhachev to be asked to fight Ilia Topuria. Makhachev has made it clear that he’d rather fight an established contender at 155 pounds over another featherweight. Makhachev scored two wins over Alexander Volkanovski when “The Great” was the 145-pound champion. With Topuria moving up to lightweight, Makhachev would prefer if “El Matador” wins a No. 1 contender fight.

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.