Is Ilia Topuria A Future GOAT?

Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira in a devastating first-round knockout, as we look at his case for a “future GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time). 

The win made Topuria a two-weight world champion, winning belts at featherweight and lightweight. He boasts a perfect 17-0 record, something which is extremely difficult to attain in MMA. He has also beaten some impressive opposition along the way. Ilia knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title, ending Volkanovski’s dominant four-year reign as world champion. It was also Volk’s first stoppage loss at that weight class. 

The Case

Topuria showed it was not a one-off performance in his next fight. He gave Max Holloway the first stoppage loss of his career. It was all the more impressive since Max had knocked out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in the fight before to claim the BMF belt. 

The manner of his wins is also all the more impressive. He has shown immense knockout power through the use of his boxing skills. Topuria has precise shots, quick combinations, but also impeccable calf kicks to get his opponents to open up before using his shots. 

While his boxing skills get acclaim, he also has high-level grappling: He has a strong background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (being a black belt) and Greco-Roman wrestling. Topuria also fights with constant pressure, while possessing the trash talk which he backs up. The Oliveira win showed that, as Ilia promised to stop him. 

Age is also on Ilia’s side. He is only 27 years old, giving him the chance to rack up more defenses and belts. He still has an eye on Islam Makhachev, which is a fight that could play out if the latter beats Jack Della Maddalena to secure the welterweight belt, allowing Topuria a belt in a third weight class. While the “GOAT” title is typically reserved for fighters at the end of their careers, Ilia is making a strong case for this if he continues his impressive form.