Tag: Ilia Topuria

Charles Oliveira cautions UFC champion Ilia Topuria about lightweight move

Charles Oliveira praised Ilia Topuria, but says a lightweight move won’t be easy.

NEW YORK – [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] praised [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag], but says a lightweight move won’t be easy.

UFC featherweight champion Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who’s coming off back-to-back knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, is confident he can become the first to submit UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev.

A former lightweight champion, Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) acknowledges Topuria’s skillset, but reminds him of the shark tank in his division.

“Ilia is a tough fighter – someone who talks the talk and walks the walk,” Oliveira said through an interpreter during Wednesday’s UFC 309 media day. “He’s doing things. I can see why he would want to challenge people. He would be, obviously, a tough fight.

“I think that what happens is a lot of fighters, whenever they get the belt, they have that belt wrapped around their waist, they start thinking up and down in the divisions. But I think you have to be very careful when you’re coming up to lightweight because this is tough. This is a very tough division. But at any rate, I think that he’s a very tough and very dangerous guy.”

Oliveira runs things back with Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Oliveira won their first meeting by knockout to claim the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262 in May 2021.

[lawrence-related id=2782808,2782675,2782579]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Diego Lopes down for a point-and-brawl invitation from Ilia Topuria: ‘I’m not afraid of anyone’

Diego Lopes has no problem accepting a point-and-brawl invitation from UFC champ Ilia Topuria.

Fans missed out on a middle-of-the-cage shootout between [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and Max Holloway. However, [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] promises that wouldn’t be the case if he were to get a crack at the champion.

Last month at UFC 308, Topuria pointed to the middle of the cage, inviting Holloway to brawl during their UFC featherweight championship fight in Abu Dhabi. Holloway, who’s made the point-and-brawl move notorious in the UFC, opted out from the exchange with the heavy-handed Topuria.

Unlike Holloway, Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) says that’s an invitation he’d welcome with mo problem.

“Definitely, definitely, definitely,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish when asked if he’d throw down with Topuria. “I’m telling you, I respect everyone, but I’m not afraid of anyone. If there’s anything I don’t have, it’s fear. I think I’ve shown that in all my fights. I’ve shown that I’m not afraid of anyone.

“As many times as he wants to point to the ground, I will plant my feet in the middle of the cage and throw down. It’s that easy.”

Unfortunately for Holloway, although he opted out from the brawl with Topuria, after a couple of close rounds, he was eventually was knocked out. It was Holloway’s first knockout loss in his lengthy and tested MMA career.

Although hungry to get a shot at the belt, Lopes admits it was hard to see Holloway’s legendary chin get cracked for the first time.

“I think everyone felt it,” Lopes said. “As a fan, removing myself the fighter, like a fan, I think it hurt all of us to see Max Holloway in that situation. Imagine, I think all MMA fans have been now watching Holloway for years and we’ve never seen him in a situation like this. We never imagined this would happen, and when it did, it was a big surprise.  But credit to Topuria, he did a great job. He did what he said he was going to do. He kept his promise.”

Lopes, who’s ranked No. 3 in the UFC official featherweight rankings, is riding a five-fight winning streak with his most recent victory coming by way of decision over former UFC title challenger Brian Ortega. Lopes has expressed interest speaking with MMA Junkie in being the next challenger for Topuria or a title eliminator bout against Alexander Volkanovski.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Ilia Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent: Potential Paddy Pimblett fight would be ‘abuse’

Ilia Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent doesn’t think Paddy Pimblett has the quality to compete against the UFC featherweight champion.

What at one point seemed like a possibility, now seems like a mismatch, at least according to [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]’s coach [autotag]Jorge Climent[/autotag].

Just two years ago, there was plenty of talk of a potential fight between Topuria, who now holds the UFC featherweight title, and lightweight star [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag].

The two fighters got into a short skirmish at the host hotel for UFC Fight Night 204 in London back in March 2022, and they had a long history of social media exchanges, which were sparked by Pimblett’s comments poking fun at Russo-Georgian War.

“The truth is that at that moment there was anger because of all the history of Ilia’s family members fighting in the war, so he truly wanted to f*ck him up, but Paddy didn’t want to fight,” Climent told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I don’t know if it’s because they wanted to take care of him or the UFC wanted to protect him, but (Ilia) tried to get the fight.”

Pimblett eventually issued a public apology for making fun of the Georgia’s losing efforts in the Russo-Georgian War, and the two continued with their careers in their respective divisions.

Things between Pimblett and Topuria resurfaced a bit after Pimblett reacted to Topuria’s KO win over Max Holloway last month at UFC 308, saying he thinks he’d still beat him if the two were to fight.

“I don’t know if that kid is in condition to fight someone with a title right now,” Climent said. “Who has he beat? All his fights, they put someone alright in front of him, just so he can exist and stay relevant. He’s very mediatic because of how he talks and all that, but I don’t see him having the quality to fight Ilia, and I don’t think he deserves it.”

When asked about a potential matchup between Topuria and Pimblett, and how it could potentially go, Climent’s answer was a simple one:

“What would that be, abuse?”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Chael Sonnen: Ilia Topuria can pass Conor McGregor as UFC’s biggest star in no time

Chael Sonnen thinks Ilia Topuria has the potential to become a bigger star than Conor McGregor.

[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has the potential to become a bigger star than [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag].

After knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title, Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in the UFC 308 main event.

Undefeated Topuria has already amassed millions of followers on social media, and had soccer superstar Sergio Ramos travel to Abu Dhabi to support him for his title fight against Holloway. His rise to stardom has the UFC eyeing a debut event in Spain in 2025.

If Topuria continues his dominance in the octagon, Sonnen says the sky is the limit for “El Matador.”

“He’s got the Prime Minister of Spain watching his fights and having people filming,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “He’s got the biggest actresses, the most successful athletes – which are football (players) in Spain – coming and watching him live.

“The guy never misses. It turns out he’s as good as he said. I mean, it’s going to be a short period – he’s not here now, but it’s a short period of time. At this trajectory, believe this or not, he’s going to pass Conor McGregor.”

Topuria and McGregor have already taken numerous shots at each other. Topuria once longed for a fight with McGregor, but has recently changed his tune, saying that “The Notorious” wouldn’t be worthy to fight him.

As it stands, it will be difficult for any fighter to outdo McGregor’s popularity, as the former UFC dual-champion is responsible for eight out of the UFC’s 10 highest-selling pay-per-views.

[lawrence-related id=2780889,2775730,2774250,2742820]

Alexander Volkanovski’s coach against Ilia Topuria’s pursuit for two UFC titles: ‘You’re just holding up divisions’

Alexander Volkanovski’s coach, Joe Lopez, doesn’t think UFC featherweight champ Ilia Topuria has earned the right to fight for a second belt just yet.

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag]’s coach, [autotag]Joe Lopez[/autotag], doesn’t think UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has earned the right to fight for a second belt just yet.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who’s coming off back-to-back knockouts of Volkanovski and Max Holloway, expressed interest in moving up to lightweight to challenge champ Islam Makhachev.

Volkanovski is currently campaigning for a title-fight rematch with Topuria and is even willing to face Diego Lopes for an interim title if he doesn’t get his wish immediately. Volkanovski failed in his bid to become dual champion when he challenged Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 284 but not before defending his featherweight title four times.

“That’s great (Topuria eyeing Makhachev), but you’ve got to have – like with anybody, you’ve got to have at least five or six title defenses before you start looking at doubling up,” Lopez told Submission Radio. “You’re just holding up divisions. When you’ve cleared out a division, then you’ve got the right to jump up a division.

“Until then, you’ve just got to fight the cause in your division, you know? I guess it’s like jumping the queue, and you want to have the title shot before somebody else that’s above you, you know? But it’s just human nature, I guess. Everybody wants that double-champ status because it’s very rare to get.”

Volkanovski pushed Makhachev to the brink in their first lightweight title fight at UFC 284 but fell short. He then defended his featherweight title a fifth time by finishing Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290, which earned him a short-notice opportunity against Makhachev a second time at UFC 294. However, Volkanovski was knocked out in the first round.

Topuria went as far as saying he’d be the first to submit Makhachev. While Lopez thinks it’s a bold claim, he doesn’t fault Topuria for his confidence.

“Islam, he’s very good striking, and he’s got good wrestling, too,” Lopez said. “And he’s the bigger man, so who knows? Look, you can’t take that way from Ilia because what he’s said, he’s been doing. So, he might just be the first guy to do it (submit Makhachev). So, you can’t take that away from him.”

[lawrence-related id=2782808,2782675,2782579,2782294]

Joe Rogan: UFC champ Ilia Topuria MMA’s ‘new high-water mark’ because he has no weaknesses

Joe Rogan thinks it’s time to start putting Ilia Topuria’s name in the best pound-for-pound list.

[autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag] thinks it’s time to start putting [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]’s name in the best pound-for-pound list.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) retained his featherweight title when he became the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in this past Saturday’s UFC 308 headliner in Abu Dhabi.

The unbeaten phenom has now knocked out featherweight greats Alexander Volkanovski and Holloway back-to-back, and Rogan raved about Topuria’s well-rounded skillset.

“Ilia is fast as f*ck,” Rogan said in a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience.” “He’s not slow at all. He doesn’t have any disadvantages. He doesn’t have any weaknesses, man. That’s the thing. That’s why I say he’s the new high-water mark. There’s people that are thinking he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter alive.

“There’s a lot of discussion about that online. It’s a little premature, especially with Jon Jones still out there, and there are other elite guys still out there – Islam Makhachev is another one. There’s a real argument that he’s the best pound-for-pound guy alive, but it’s f*cking close. Ilia – he might be the best.”

Topuria’s first seven professional wins all came by submission until he scored his first-career knockout in November 2019 – his final fight before signing with the UFC. Since then, “El Matador” has fallen in love with his boxing, scoring knockouts in five of his next eight fights.

[lawrence-related id=2782808,2782628,2782569,2782559]

Eddie Alvarez claims Ilia Topuria once knocked out three Kill Cliff FC fighters in training

Eddie Alvarez gave insight on just how much power UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria packs.

[autotag]Eddie Alvarez[/autotag] gave insight on just how much power UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] packs.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) retained his featherweight title by becoming the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in the UFC 308 main event. He has now knocked out former champions Alexander Volkanovski and Holloway back-to-back.

Alvarez recounted hearing that Topuria took out numerous fighters when training at Kill Cliff FC in Florida. The former UFC lightweight champion also said Topuria managed to show off his grappling.

“I heard through my Kill Cliff buddies that he went over there and knocked out three guys in training in a training camp,” Alvarez said in an interview with Tim Welch. “And the Dagestanis couldn’t take him down, and he was taking them down. I overhear things in training, and I’m more concerned with the training than I am the fight, because in the fight you only get a little bit of time to display what you’ve got.

“But in training when you’re relaxed and doing these things consistently, to hear he went down to Kill Cliff and knocked out three of his training partners and was willingly taking down the Dagestani guys – what holes are we dealing with? He just dealt with the volume and the endurance of Max Holloway. If I’m hearing he’s really difficult to take down, his jiu-jitsu – he started his career just subbing guys, so this guy is a weapon all over.”

Topuria’s career started off with eight-straight submission wins, before he knocked out his first opponent in November 2019. He has now knocked out five of his past eight opponents.

[lawrence-related id=2782628,2782569,2782559,2781364]

T.J. Dillashaw: Max Holloway ‘got too comfortable’ vs. Ilia Topuria at UFC 308

T.J. Dillashaw thinks Max Holloway wasn’t defensively responsible enough against Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] wasn’t defensively responsible enough against [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag].

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) retained his featherweight title in this past Saturday’s UFC 308 headliner by becoming the first fighter to knock out Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC). The power difference was evident early, but Holloway was starting to find success with his jab in Rounds 2 and 3 before Topuria landed a blistering left hook to sit him down.

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dillashaw credited Holloway for circling well in the first couple of rounds but thinks “Blessed” ultimately got too comfortable standing in front of Topuria and exchanging, which cost him.

“I think he (Holloway) got too comfortable in the second round,” Dillashaw said on the “JAXXON Podcast.” “He started piecing him (Topuria) up, right? He’s using his distance, he had a great jab, he’s hammering his jab, and Max is a volume guy.

“His volume’s working, he gets better and better as the fight goes on, and I think when it got into the third round, he got a little comfortable, and Topuria’s fast as f*ck. He did that slapping hook to get his hands away from his face with that overhand right and then it changed everything.”

Dillashaw heaped praise on Topuria’s boxing, calling him No. 1 the UFC’s ever had.

“He could be a boxer,” Dillashaw said of Topuria. “Legitimately I feel like he could be an actual boxer. I think he’s the best boxer that’s been in the UFC cage in my opinion, technique wise. …He makes you miss with like the littlest movements.

“He’s not dramatic. He keeps his weight underneath him. His feet are always perfectly underneath him, he can throw power at any time, and he makes you miss just by a little bit. He’s got his head motion just a little bit off the line. You throw a jab, he slips it.”

[lawrence-related id=2782628,2782569,2782559,2781364]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Diego Lopes wants UFC title shot vs. Ilia Topuria, promises car crash fight: ‘I won’t be backing up’

Diego Lopes makes his case to be the next challenger for UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.

[autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] has his sights set on [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]’s UFC featherweight title, and he’s not afraid to go and take it from him.

Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC), a streaking title contender at 145 pounds, wants to be the next person to challenge Ilia Topuria, and he believes he’s more than deserving to call for a title shot, given the body of work he’s put together in 2024.

“If they asked me what arguments there are for me to be the next one, I say: I’m on a good streak; I’ve beaten three people in the rankings this year; I’m at No. 3, and Topuria has beaten the two fighters that are above me in the rankings,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We’re the new blood of the division, and this is a renewal bout for the division.

“I think for a long time, all the championship fights have either involved Volkanovski or Holloway. This fight will be a renewal. Also, this fight can be done in Spain or anywhere in Latin America and be promoted 100 percent in Spanish for all the Hispanic people. Those are the arguments that I bring to the table.”

Topuria is coming off a historic win at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Not only did he complete his first title defense, but he also became the first man to knock out Max Holloway.

Topuria has put away six of the eight opponents he’s faced in the UFC and has proven he’s one of the most dangerous fighters in the game. Although Lopes respects his craft, the Lobo Gym and Brazilian Warriors product is in no way afraid of his power, and sees Topuria as a good matchup.

“What I bring to the table, simply put, is the power in my hands, definitely, the explosivity in my striking, my volume, and I’d say the main thing is that I don’t fear anyone,” Lopes said. “I don’t fear anyone. Just like he goes to punish, so do I.

“If the fight does go down, it will be a clash, a clash. If he moves forward, he’s going to run into a wall. That’s what I bring. I won’t be backing up, moving side to side, looking to maintain the fight at a distance. I like the clash. I like coming in and clashing. That’s where I feel comfortable, and that’s also his game, so I think the style favors me.”

Lopes told MMA Junkie that he’s open to face Alexander Volkanovski for an interim title in early 2025 if Topuria were to take a break from the sport. However, his ideal scenario is a title shot, which he feels confident can happen next.

“If we’re talking about numbers and results, not to brag, but I think I’m in a good position to ask for the title,” Lopes said. “Before April 10, before UFC 300, I wasn’t in the UFC rankings. However, since, I’ve beaten three ranked fighters, and I’ve positioned myself at No. 3. I think based on merit, I’ve earned the position that I’m in. Topuria just knocked out No. 1 and 2, and I’m No. 3. I think I have arguments to call for this title fight.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Coach Jorge Climent wants Ilia Topuria to challenge Islam Makhachev for UFC lightweight title

After UFC 308, Ilia Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent wants Islam Makhachev next for his pupil

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and his team have had one of the greatest years in MMA history. That doesn’t mean they’re done chasing glory.

Following an impressive title defense at Saturday’s UFC 308 where Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first person to knockout Max Holloway, his head coach [autotag]Jorge Climent[/autotag] wants him to take another leap in his fighting career.

For Climent, this means going up a weight class and challenging UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], who’s considered by many as the pound-for-pound best.

“The fight that I think would put Ilia at the very top without any discussion that he’s the best fighter in the world would be against Islam Makhachev,” Climent told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “The fight is against Islam because at this moment he’s a defending champion. I know Ilia has only defended his belt once and that can make it difficult to get the opportunity, unless you’re a Conor (McGregor). So I do think they’re going to give it to (Alexander) Volkanovski (next).”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Climent sees Volkanovski as the next likely option for his pupil. But given the result of their first meeting back in February, he doesn’t see the former champ as the biggest challenge for Topuria.

Climent undoubtedly sees Makhachev as thee toughest test, but still with a clear path to victory.

“It’s our toughest fight,” Climent said. “However, after seeing how much success Volkanovski had against him the first fight, of course (we) see an opportunity. This is the toughest fight, without a doubt, but I like it.”

Many notable fighters called out Topuria following his historic title defense against Holloway, an indication to Climent that Topuria is quickly becoming one of the most important names in the sport.

“Paddy ‘The P*ssy’ made some comments. Dustin Poirier called him out. That means Ilia is doing big things because that only happens when you’re truly doing big things,” Climent said. “Everyone that wants a spotlight is calling him out, Conor and others. I still think the best fight is against (Makhachev) and the biggest money fight is against Conor, which I see a bit unlikely.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.