Ilia Topuria has risen through the ranks and has put his name forward as one of the most exciting prospects in the world of mixed martial arts. He started training when he was just 15 years old, picking up Greco-Roman wrestling when he was just seven after his family moved to Georgia.
Topuria, who is a black belt in BJJ competed in his first professional mixed martial arts bout in April 2015, when he was just eighteen years old. More than seven years later, Topuria is now a top-10 UFC featherweight and reigns supreme as one of the most exciting names in MMA.
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Ilia Topuria is currently undefeated in his mixed martial arts career with a staggering record of 13 wins and zero losses. In those 12 wins, 4 have come via way of stoppage, while 8 have come via way of submission. El Matador has only gone the full distance only once in his mixed martial arts career. Topuria went the distance against Youssef Zalal, in his UFC debut back in October 2020.
Ilia Topuria UFC career and notable opponents
Ilia Topuria has competed in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions in the UFC. Topuria made his lightweight debut against Jai Herbert back in March 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs Aspinall. Topuria won the fight via KO in the very first round. Topuria also holds a notable win over BJJ legend Ryan Hall and Bryce Mitchell and is currently on a five-fight winning streak. He is also the first fighter to beat Bryce Mitchell in the UFC after he submitted him at UFC 282.
Careo intenso entre @ThugnastyMMA y @Topuriailia para #UFC282 đ„ pic.twitter.com/P8ZITs6q46
â UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) December 9, 2022
Needless to say, in his short career inside the UFC Octagon, El Matador has shown signs of being a future champion, and should he continue the performances he has been putting up of late, there’s no denying he could find himself wrapped in the UFC gold in the near future. What are your thoughts on llia Topuria, do let us know in the comments section.
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