Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria (; and Spanish professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the former UFC Lightweight Champion and Featherweight Champion, becoming the first Georgian and Spanish fighter to win a UFC championship and first undefeated fighter to win UFC championships in two divisions. As of June 16, 2026, he is #1 in the Meta UFC lightweight rankings, and #5 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Background

Topuria was born in Halle Westfalen, Germany. to Georgian parents who were refugees from Abkhazia. At the age of seven, Topuria moved to Georgia with his family and started practicing Greco-Roman wrestling at a local school. He began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Climent gym at the age of 15, before switching over to mixed martial arts. In 2014, Topuria won a silver medal at the IBJJF European 2014 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament in the juniors category. In 2015, Topuria made his debut as a professional in local competitions. In May 2018, he became the first Georgian black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu alongside his brother, Alex Topuria. Months later he received the opportunity to fight for the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium. Ilia failed to make the agreed weight so despite winning the fight quickly, he did not get the belt.

In 2019, he signed with Brave Combat Federation. Ilia made his promotional debut in Bogotá, Colombia, defeating Luis Gomez in the first round by submission; which earned him the award for best performance of the night. On November 15, 2019, in Bahrain, he won his second fight in BRAVE by defeating Steven Goncalves by KO in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Topuria, as a replacement for Seung Woo Choi, took a bout on short notice against Youssef Zalal on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen. Topuria won the fight via unanimous decision.

Topuria faced Damon Jackson on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori. He won the fight via knockout in round one.

Topuria faced Ryan Hall on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264. He won the fight via knockout in round one.

Topuria was scheduled to face Movsar Evloev on January 22, 2022, at UFC 270. However, Evloev withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Charles Jourdain. However, Topuria was pulled from the card due to a medical issue related to cutting weight and the bout was cancelled.

Topuria faced Jai Herbert, replacing Mike Davis, on March 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 204. Topuria suffered a knockdown from a head kick in round one, but recovered and won the fight via knockout in round two. With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.

Topuria was scheduled to face Edson Barboza on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213. However, Barboza withdrew in late September due to a knee injury.

Topuria faced Bryce Mitchell on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282. He won the fight via submission in round two. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Topuria was initially scheduled to face Josh Emmett on June 17, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 47. However, the bout was shifted to headline UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria on June 24, 2023. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The bout earned him the Fight of the Night award.

UFC Featherweight Champion In October 2023, Topuria was scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski on January 20, 2024, for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 297. However, on 10 days' notice replacing an injured Charles Oliveira, Volkanovski faced Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 294 on October 21, 2023, and was knocked out in the first round. As a result, Topuria vs. Volkanovski was pushed back one month to headline UFC 298 on February 17, 2024. Topuria won the featherweight championship via knockout in the second round, ending Volkanovski's four-year reign. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Topuria defended his UFC Featherweight Championship against former champion Max Holloway on October 26, 2024, at UFC 308. He won by knockout in the third round, the first knockout loss of Holloway's career. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Vacating title Despite rumors of a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski, on February 19, 2025, it was announced Topuria would vacate his title as soon as the featherweight championship main event at UFC 314 started. UFC president Dana White explained Topuria's unexpected move, citing difficulties cutting weight, a lack of interest in the division's competition, and a desire to move up to lightweight permanently.

UFC Lightweight Champion Topuria faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship on June 28, 2025, at UFC 317. He defeated Oliveira by knockout at 2:27 of the first round, becoming the 10th multi-division champion in UFC history. He became the first UFC two-division champion while maintaining an undefeated record. The fight earned him another Performance of the Night award. Following the bout, Topuria was promoted to #1 in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. However, the #1 ranking was given back to Islam Makhachev on November 19, 2025, after he claimed the welterweight championship.

In November 2025, Topuria announced that he would not compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal reasons.

Topuria attempted to make his title defense against interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event on June 14, 2026 at UFC Freedom 250. He lost the championship by technical knockout via corner stoppage at the end of fourth round, marking his first loss in mixed martial arts. This fight earned him a $400,000 Fight of the Night award. In addition, Topuria and Gaethje split a $1 million CRO Crypto.com bonus, receiving $500,000 each.

Fighting style and training Initially coming into the UFC organization with a strong base in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Topuria dedicated himself to enhancing his stand-up game, developing a boxing-heavy approach under the guidance of experienced coaches. His boxing style is marked by precise shot selection, fluid combinations, and remarkable power, which was on full display during his knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. Following his knockout loss, Oliveira praised Topuria's striking power, stating that he was "definitely the one who hit me the hardest" out of all his UFC opponents. Topuria's execution of boxing is strategic, using his footwork and positioning to set up clean, fight-altering punches. He is also known for his defensive techniques such as his use of the shoulder roll against Josh Emmett. He has cited the Mexican boxing style, particularly that of Canelo Álvarez, as a major inspiration for his striking, adapting its principles to mixed martial arts.

Topuria has trained with fellow Georgian and former UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, who has praised Topuria's grappling skills, stating that he has "great wrestling, great jiu-jitsu,". Dvalishvili also brought up Topuria's striking power, stating that he "hits hard" and Topuria had dropped him twice with body shots in sparring sessions.

Personal life

Topuria is fluent in Georgian, English, Spanish, and also speaks a bit of Mingrelian. Topuria has a son (born 2019) and daughter (born 2024) from his previous wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell.

In August of 2025 Topuria's relationship with his former spouse Giorgina Uzcategui officially ended and Topuria filed a civil divorce petition in Spain in late October of that same year. According to El Mundo, Topuria was called to Court of Violence against Women on January 7th, 2026 following a criminal complaint. Topuria refuted these claims stating that it was a family and administrative matter involving an issue related to his daughter's travel outside of Spain.

Topuria is a Christian.

Topuria's older brother Aleksandre Topuria, also a mixed martial artist, debuted with the UFC in February 2025 at UFC 312.

On March 5, 2024, Topuria obtained Spanish citizenship after it was announced at the Council of Ministers press conference.

On March 21, 2024, Topuria was awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia in Orbeliani Palace, Tbilisi, Georgia. That day, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the government will ensure Ilia retains his Georgian citizenship, making him a dual citizen of Georgia and Spain.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Lightweight Championship (One time, former) First two-division champion with an undefeated record Tenth multi-division champion in UFC history UFC Featherweight Championship (One time) One successful title defense First Georgian champion in UFC history Performance of the Night (Five times) UFC Men's Pound-For-Pound No. 1 in 2025 Holds wins over three former UFC champions — UFC Honors Awards 2024: President's Choice Performance of the Year Nominee & President's Choice Performance of the Year Nominee & President's Choice Performance of the Year Nominee UFC.com Awards 2020: Ranked #8 Newcomer of the Year 2022: Ranked #7 Knockout of the Year & Ranked #9 Submission of the Year 2024: Fighter of the Year , Ranked #2 Knockout of the Year & Ranked #6 Knockout of the Year 2025: Ranked #4 Knockout of the Year & Half-Year Awards: Best Knockout of the 1HY Mix Fight Events MFE Featherweight Championship (One time) The Sporting News 2024 Fighter of the Year Forbes 2024 UFC Fighter of the Year Yahoo Sports / Uncrowned 2024 MMA Fighter of the Year 2025 #5 Ranked Knockout of the Year Bleacher Report 2024 Fighter of the Year Bloody Elbow 2024 Fighter of the Year CBS Sports 2024 UFC Fighter of the Year MMA Junkie 2022 December Submission of the Month 2024 Male Fighter of the Year BodySlam.net 2024 Male Fighter of the Year MMA Fighting 2024 First Team MMA All-Star 2025 #3 Knockout of the Year MMA Mania 2024 Fighter of the Year 2024 #4 Ranked Knockout of the Year The Wrightway Sports Network 2025 Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Justin Gaethje TKO (corner stoppage) UFC Freedom 250

Washington, D.C., United States | Win

Charles Oliveira KO (punches) UFC 317

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Max Holloway KO (punches) UFC 308

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Alexander Volkanovski KO (punch) UFC 298

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Josh Emmett Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Bryce Mitchell Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 282

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jai Herbert KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall

London, England Win

Ryan Hall KO (punches) UFC 264

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Damon Jackson KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Youssef Zalal Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Steven Goncalves KO (punches) Brave CF 29

Isa Town, Bahrain Win

Luis Gomez Submission (triangle straight armbar) Brave CF 26

Bogotá, Colombia Win

Brian Bouland Technical Submission (anaconda choke) Cage Warriors 94

Antwerp, Belgium Win

Mika Hämäläinen Submission (guillotine choke) CAGE 43

Helsinki, Finland Win

Jhon Guarin Submission (guillotine choke) Mix Fight Events 28

Valencia, Spain Win

Daniel Vasquez Submission (rear-naked choke) Mix Fight Events 26

Alicante, Spain Win

Kalil Martin El Chalibi Submission (rear-naked choke) Climent Show MMA 4

Alicante, Spain Win

Francisco Javier Asprilla Submission (triangle choke) Mix Fight Events 17

Valencia, Spain Pay-per-view bouts