Ilya Topuria, known as a “matador”, has captured the hearts of Spanish MMA fans with a surge of momentum early in a career that keeps climbing. The 25-year-old Spanish wrestler is enjoying a peak moment after a setback against Josh Emmett, which still left him sitting prominently in the UFC featherweight rankings.
Born in Halle, Germany, to Georgian parents, Ilia Topuria grew up as a fighter. He spent his childhood in Alicante with his brother Alexander, where Greco-Roman wrestling laid the groundwork long before MMA entered his life. The move to Spain in 2012 opened a new chapter, and at ages 15 and 16, the Topuria brothers began training seriously at the Climent Club in Alicante.
Throughout their time in the Octagon, the Topuria brothers have demonstrated a distinctive talent. While Alexandre has not matched Ilia’s level of achievement, the younger sibling known as the Conqueror trains with relentless consistency, aiming to reach the UFC with the same fervor as his brother.
come on let’s dance @venum pic
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) May 2, 2023
The rising star’s ascent unfolded at a remarkable pace. Ilia Topuria made his UFC debut on October 1, 2020, stepping in as a short-notice replacement against Seung Woo Choi later that month. The fighter quickly proved his capability, earning attention from UFC president Dana White in the moment the bout concluded.
From that instant, White recognized the potential of Ilia Topuria, signaling a bright future ahead. Barely two months after his debut, he returned to the cage against Damon Jackson, scoring his first UFC KO victory. He followed up with wins over Ryan Hall and Jai Herbert in his next two fights, sealing a streak that ended with a submission win against Bryce Mitchell. This run catapulted him to ninth place in the UFC featherweight rankings.
Five consecutive wins solidified Topuria’s undefeated run and earned him a push toward the top five. A victory over Josh Emmett vaulted him to fifth place in the featherweight standings, moving him from promising prospect to legitimate title contender in the eyes of many pundits and fans alike. In the Emmett bout, Topuria controlled the pace, keeping distance with precise footwork and a steady jab, patiently funneling pressure and then unleashing decisive combinations. Emmett’s face bore witness to Topuria’s dominance, even though the American absorbed punishment without being stopped.
WHAT FIGHTING PEOPLE!!!!!! #UFCJacksonville
— UFC (@ufc)
That moment cemented the moniker El Matador, a nod to his relentless, BJJ-influenced style and his dangerous right hand. He has run his record to fourteen straight fights without a loss, including six appearances in the UFC, underscoring the teeth of his offense. Topuria’s approach balances ground control with striking venom, and when the chance arises to take the fight to the ground, he does so with surgical accuracy. If a foe tries to exchange on the feet, he often finds himself countered and outpaced—an emblem of his growing dominance in the division.
UFC ambitions grow toward a title shot
In discussions following his latest victory, Topuria spoke with a clear sense of intent. If the opportunity to fight Max Holloway arises in Spain, he would embrace it, otherwise he would patiently await a championship chance. His goal isn’t merely to win; he wants to bring the UFC spectacle to Spain, with the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as a dream venue. He senses a receptive national audience and believes the UFC will arrive in Spain once he lands in the top five, a promise some observers expect to materialize as he maintains his ascent. The organization’s leadership has suggested a possibility of a Spain event as the sport’s profile grows on the Iberian Peninsula, aligning with Topuria’s momentum.
The broader objective remains ambitious: defeat Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champion. Topuria has publicly stated that he intends to dethrone Volkanovski and begin a new chapter in his own history. If Volkanovski defends the belt against Yair Rodriguez next, the timing could align with Topuria’s path to a title fight, depending on the UFC’s scheduling and rankings movements. His confidence is evident, and his team is aligned in pursuing the belt as the ultimate milestone.