Ilia Topuria News
Ilia Topuria explains why he drinks “half a litre of wine” the night before UFC weigh-ins
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2024
UFC star Ilia Topuria has explained why he drinks wine the night before a UFC weigh-in event. For the longest time now, Ilia Topuria has been seen as a real threat in the UFC’s featherweight division. On Saturday night, he’ll get the chance to finally reach the top of the mountain.
WATCH | Ilia Topuria snatches Alexander Volkanovski belt during UFC 298 press conference
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
Ilia Topuria has continued the trend of touching and wearing the UFC title before he has won it. Topuria did his UFC 298 photo shoot with the belt on and now during the press conference, he snatched the belt from Volkanovski and put it in the air like he won it. That got a reaction from Volkanovski who told him to touch it all he wanted as it would be going back to Australia after Saturday night in Anaheim.
WATCH | Ilia Topuria poses with UFC belt as Alexander Volkanovski crashes photo shoot ahead of UFC 298
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
Ilia Topuria decided to have the UFC title wrapped around his waist before his title fight in the main event of UFC 298 against Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria has been oozing with confidence in the lead-up to his first crack at the UFC title on Saturday night. The Georgian-Spaniard has already crowned himself as the UFC champion in his Instagram bio, also claiming he’s 15-0, even though he’s only 14-0 heading into Saturday.
Brian Ortega fires back at Ilia Topuria for recent UFC title comments: "You have to win the belt for that to happen"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 15, 2024
Brian Ortega has responded to Ilia Topuria’s claim that he won’t give him a title shot if he defeats Alex Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship. Topuria will be challenging Volkanovski for the 145-pound gold in the main event of UFC 298 this Saturday night. Topuria has been rather brash in the buildup for this title fight. He has already declared himself as the true UFC featherweight champion. He even said he wouldn’t give, Ortega, Max Holloway, or Yair Rodriguez a title opportunity.
UFC 298 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria title fight
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2024
In the main event of UFC 298, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Alexander Volkanovski looks to defend his belt when he takes on Ilia Topuria. Heading into the fight Volkanovski is a slight -128 favorite while the challenger is a +100 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 298. Although Volkanovski is coming off the KO loss at lightweight, but despite the loss and the close odds, the pros are actually unanimous in thinking the Aussie remains the featherweight king on Saturday in Anaheim.
Ilia Topuria reveals brother Alexsandre has signed with UFC: "He will be become a UFC world champion"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 14, 2024
The brother of UFC featherweight contender Ilia Topuria has scored a UFC contract. During an interview with ESPN, “El Matador” confirmed that Alexsandre Topuria is indeed a member of the UFC roster. Alexsandre has a pro record of 5-1. His lone defeat came against Ivo Ivanov back in 2015. At the age of 28, Alexsandre is hoping that he has entered the UFC at the perfect time.
Sean O’Malley says Ilia Topuria "better hope he f*cking" defeats Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298: "He's talking a lot of sh*t"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 14, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley thinks Ilia Topuria might be biting off more than he can chew, but he still wants that fight. Topuria will be challenging Alex Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship. The title fight will be headlining UFC 298, which will emanate from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The action will take place this Saturday night.
Yair Rodriguez slams "delusional" Ilia Topuria, claims his career will be "over" after UFC 298
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2024
Yair Rodriguez is not a fan of Ilia Topuria, and he expects the Spaniard-Georgian to lose on Saturday at UFC 298. Topuria is set to headline UFC 298 on Saturday as he takes on Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup and in the lead-up to the scrap, Topuria has been full of confidence that he will beat Volkanovski with ease to become the champ.
Sean O’Malley vs. Ilia Topuria would be a "sweet fight," says coach Tim Welch: "Who wouldn't want to see that fight?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 11, 2024
The coach of Sean O’Malley, Tim Welch, sees big potential in a clash between his fighter and Ilia Topuria. O’Malley is the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. Topuria will be fighting for UFC Featherweight Championship on February 17. He’ll attempt to take the 145-pound gold from Alex Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 298 inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Ilia Topuria's confidence reminds Daniel Cormier of Conor McGregor ahead of UFC 298: "This dude has updated his bio with another win"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2024
UFC 298 headliner Ilia Topuria has confidence the levels of Conor McGregor, says UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. Topuria will be challenging Alex Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship on February 17. The action will be held inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Ahead of the title fight, Topuria hasn’t been shy in talking trash about not just the 145-pound titleholder, but the entire featherweight division. It’s led many to believe that “El Matador” is either in for a meteoric rise, or an embarrassing fall.
Sean O'Malley plans to attend UFC 298 to set up champ-champ fight at The Sphere in September
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
Sean O’Malley has his eyes set on becoming a champ-champ. O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title for the first time in the main event of UFC 299 against Marlon Vera. Heading into the fight, ‘Suga’ has been oozing with confidence and believes he will KO Vera to defend his belt with ease.
Ilia Topuria tells Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, and Brian Ortega to retire because he will "never give them" a title shot
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2024
Ilia Topuria has some advice for some of the top-ranked featherweights. Topuria is set to headline UFC 298 on February 17 as he takes on Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title. It’s a highly-anticipated matchup and in the lead-up to the fight, the Georgian is a slight underdog as he’s -105 to defeat the Aussie. Yet, Topuria has full confidence he will beat Volkanovski with ease.
Ilia Topuria shares bold first-round prediction for UFC 298 title fight with Alexander Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2024
Ilia Topuria has provided an official prediction for his upcoming title showdown with Alexander Volkanovski. At UFC 298, Ilia Topuria faces the biggest test of his career thus far. He will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight championship in what serves as his first crack at the gold. While Volkanovski is seen by many as the favorite, others are of the opinion that Topuria is the most well-rounded contender he’s ever faced.
Ilia Topuria responds after Yair Rodriguez takes aim at his UFC resume: “They don’t use me as a rag in the fights”
Susan Cox - January 26, 2024
Ilia Topuria is responding after former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez took aim at his UFC resume. It was Rodriguez who recently took aim at Topuria, claiming that he ‘talked’ his way into a title shot.
Sean O’Malley says super fight with Ilia Topuria will be next if both men win their upcoming bouts
Susan Cox - January 12, 2024
Sean O’Malley is advising that a super fight with Ilia Topuria will happen next if both men win their upcoming bouts. UFC 298 takes place on Saturday, February 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Josh Emmett reveals who he gives slight edge to for Alex Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria: "It’s hard for me to bet against ..."
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2024
Josh Emmett doesn’t consider himself to be a modern day Nostradamus, but he does know who he’s leaning towards picking for the UFC 298 main event. Headlining that planned February 17 pay-per-view will be reigning UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. He’ll be putting his gold at stake against undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria. It’s a tough fight to call between a dominant champion, who is coming off a devastating KO loss to lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev, and the rising Topuria. As it stands now, Volkanovski is the -155 betting favorite, while Topuria is a +130 underdog, per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Ilia Topuria lays out plan to fight Conor McGregor after beating Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2024
Ilia Topuria is expecting to have a massive 2024. Topuria is set to headline UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California against Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title. With still over a month to go to the fight, Topuria is a small +130 underdog, which implies a 43.5% chance of winning the fight.
Ilia Topuria is predicting a “masterpiece” against Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298: “It will be one of the easier fights of my career”
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2023
UFC contender Ilia Topuria has predicted a masterpiece of a performance ahead of his fight against Alexander Volkanovski. At UFC 298 in February, Ilia Topuria will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight championship. While some feel as if this is too quick, others expect him to put up a really good showing against the champion.