All You Need To Know About Ilia Topuria

Early Life and Background

Ilia Topuria was born on January 21, 1997, in Halle Westfalen, Germany, to Georgian parents. At the age of seven, he moved to Georgia with his family where he began practicing Greco-Roman Wrestling. Later, at the age of 15, he relocated to Alicante, Spain, and started his martial arts journey at the Climent Club.

Ilia Topuria family with Georgian heritage, has been an integral source of support and encouragement throughout his remarkable journey in mixed martial arts.

Early Career

Topuria began his professional mixed martial arts career with impressive performances on the Spanish regional scene, securing four consecutive submission victories. His skills quickly earned him recognition, leading to a belt win in Mix Fight Events promotion. In 2018, he ventured into international competition with a fight in Cage MMA Finland. The same year, he achieved the milestone of becoming the first Georgian black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu along with his brother Alex Topuria.

Brave Combat Federation

In 2019, Topuria signed with Brave Combat Federation, making his debut in Bogota, Colombia, where he defeated Luis Gomez in the first round by submission. This victory not only showcased his skills but also earned him the accolade for the best performance of the night. He continued his success in Brave Combat Federation by securing another win against Steven Goncalves by KO in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Debut

Topuria made his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on October 11, 2020, stepping in as a replacement against Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen. He won the fight via unanimous decision, marking a successful start to his UFC career.

Rise in the UFC

Throughout his UFC journey, Topuria showcased his talent with notable victories against opponents such as Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, and Jai Herbert, among others. His impressive performance against Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night 204 earned him the Performance of the Night award.

UFC Featherweight Championship

Topuria’s ascent culminated in a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024. He emerged victorious, claiming the championship with a knockout victory in the second round, thus ending Volkanovski’s four-year reign as champion.

Championships and Accolades

In addition to becoming the UFC Featherweight Champion, Topuria has earned multiple Performance of the Night awards for his outstanding performances against Jai Herbert, Bryce Mitchell, and Alexander Volkanovski. He also received the Fight of the Night award for his memorable bout against Josh Emmett.