Ilia Topuria’s time in MMA may be shorter than many expect. Topuria has rapidly become one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports, propelled by his dominant run inside the UFC.
“El Matador” captured the featherweight crown with a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024, then made history later that October by becoming the first fighter to ever knock out Max Holloway, successfully defending his title at UFC 308.
Topuria later vacated the 145-pound title and moved up a weight class, cementing his status as a two-division champion with a first-round knockout of former lightweight king Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 this past June.