Ilia Topuria has emerged as one of the most dominant forces in UFC history, blending devastating striking power with his grappling skills to dismantle elite competition. The Georgia-Spanish phenom, now 17-0, has been on an unstoppable tear since his UFC debut 2020, winning majority of his fights through finishes. His precision and aggression has cemented his status as the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.
Topuria’s UFC 317 performance, where he obliterated former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira with a first-round KO, was a sight to behold. This victory followed his featherweight reign, where he first dethroned Alexander Volkanovski with a secound-round KO at UFC 298 in February 2024, ending the Australian’s four-year title run. He then defended against Max Holloway, dropping and finishing the Hawaiian legend in this round at UFC 308 in October 2024. The first KO loss of Holloway’s career. Remarkably, Topuria has now finished three Hall of Famers.
In a September 2025 interview, Ilia Topuria addressed his highly anticipated UFC return, stating, “Well, I have no idea at all. The truth is, we’re in it- we are in the middle of negotiating everything. I can’t give you a specific answer,” as negotiations are ongoing without a confirmed date or opponent. When asked about potential matchups like Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, or Paddy Pimblett, he replied, “At this time, none of them,” leaving fans guessing.
Reports suggest a possible return at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, with Gaethje rumored as a frontrunner, though his brother Aleksandre’s November in Qatar may delay this due to their shared training camp. With his star power soaring, Topuria’s next fight promises to be a blockbuster.
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