Ilia Topuria: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Ilia Topuria shares update on first UFC lightweight title defence, leaving fans frustrated

UFC fans were hoping to see Ilia Topuria defend his lightweight title in 2025, but he has delivered some disappointing news about his next fight. Ilia Topuria became UFC lightweight champion after a dominant knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s rising stars.

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Ilia Topuria sick of boxers like Terence Crawford disrespecting MMA fighters

Ilia Topuria is at his wits' end with boxers continuing to 'put down' MMA fighters without stepping into the cage. 'El Matador' has been on a run lately, chasing a super fight with Terence Crawford, and as a result, the boxing world was quick to stomp out any ambition.

Ilia Topuria responds to Terence Crawford after boxer labeled him ‘drunk’ for future fight prediction

An unlikely feud seems to be brewing between the UFC lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, and boxing world champion, Terence Crawford. Ahead of his huge boxing fight against Canelo Alvarez this coming Saturday, Terence Crawford has gotten involved in a surprise war of words with UFC champion, Ilia Topuria.

Ilia Topuria News / Bloody Elbow / September 11

Ilia Topuria provides disappointing update on first UFC lightweight title defense

UFC fans were hopeful that Ilia Topuria would make the first defense of his lightweight title before the end of the year, but the Spaniard has provided a bleak update.

MMA News / FirstSportz / September 11

Conor McGregor’s Former Best Friend Backs Irish Star to Beat Ilia Topuria in His Prime

Ilia Topuria is the current UFC lightweight champion and undoubtedly one of the biggest superstars on the entire UFC roster. Since making his official UFC debut, Topuria has emulated Conor McGregor’s highly successful MMA career and international stardom.

Terence Crawford Calls Out ‘Drunk’ Ilia Topuria For Bold KO Claims

The combat sports world has often blurred the lines between boxing and MMA, with fighters from both disciplines throwing verbal jabs as sharp as those in the ring or cage.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 10

Artem Lobov predicts who would win ‘prime’ Conor McGregor vs. Ilia Topuria featherweight GOAT fight

Artem Lobov believes the featherweight GOAT debate can be whittled down to two fighters. Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski are among the best 145lb fighters the UFC has ever seen.

MMA News / Total Apex Sports / September 8

Islam Makhachev Calls Out Ilia Topuria for Ducking 'Toughest Test' Arman Tsarukyan

In the wild world of the UFC, where trash talk flows more freely than tap water, it’s rare for a comment to genuinely turn heads. But when the former pound-for-pound king, Islam Makhachev, decides to weigh in, you listen.

Ilia Topuria Claps Back After Terence Crawford Snubs Him As Best UFC Boxer

Terence Crawford recently snubbed Ilia Topuria when naming the best boxer in the UFC. Topuria is known for his hands inside the octagon. He is currently on a three knockout streak against Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira and many consider him the best fundamental boxer in the UFC.

MMA News / NY Fights / September 7

Islam Makhachev Calls Out Ilia Topuria for Dodging Arman Tsarukyan for Maiden 155lbs Title Defense

The MMA world came to a standstill when whispers suggested Islam Makhachev could defend his lightweight crown for the fifth time against Ilia Topuria, who shocked the fight game by vacating his 145-pound belt to pursue double-champion status.

UFC Champ Ilia Topuria's Photo With Terence Crawford Sparks Confusion Among Boxing Fans

Much has been made about Terence Crawford jumping up several weight divisions to fight Canelo Alvarez for Alvarez's undisputed super middleweight belts on September 13.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 7

‘It’s no secret’… Islam Makhachev accuses Ilia Topuria of ducking contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is sure will beat him

Islam Makhachev has once more hit out at bitter rival Ilia Topuria, blasting him for intentionally avoiding one of the biggest threats to his lightweight run.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 7

Paddy Pimblett compares himself to Khamzat Chimaev as he reveals training changes to prepare for Ilia Topuria fight

Hoping to secure the biggest fight of his Octagon run so far, Paddy Pimblett has made a bold comparison between himself and a new UFC champion. Likely earning his premier shot at the lightweight crown earlier this year, promotionally perfect star Paddy Pimblett turned in a dominant finish over former title challenger Michael Chandler.

MMA News / FirstSportz / September 7

Flat-Earth Debate in UFC? 155lbs king Ilia Topuria Challenged by Controversial Fighter Bryce Mitchell

The UFC has seen countless rivalries unfold inside the cage, but some extend beyond punches and submissions. Occasionally, fighters carry their beliefs into the spotlight.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 6

Topuria Called Out Over Weak Resume

PFL Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov says his resume surpasses that of UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria. The debate stems from Topuria’s recent run in the UFC, where he has delivered knockouts over former champions Alexander Volkanovski (featherweight), Max Holloway (featherweight), and Charles Oliveira (lightweight).

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MMA News / NY Fights / September 5

Terence Crawford Surprises Fans by Naming Cody Garbrandt Over Ilia Topuria as UFC’s Best Boxer

Striking has always been the most crowd-pleasing aspect of MMA, and the UFC has produced plenty of elite boxers over the years. Names like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, and Petr Yan are often mentioned when talking about pure boxing inside the Octagon.

Terence Crawford snubs Ilia Topuria when giving shock pick for the best boxer in the UFC

Ilia Topuria is widely regarded as the best boxer in the UFC but boxing world champion Terence Crawford disagrees. On September 13, Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez are set to clash in the biggest boxing fight of the year when they fight for the undisputed super middleweight title at the Allegiant Stadium.

MMA News / NY Fights / September 3

Usman Nurmagomedov Downplays Ilia Topuria and Declares Himself the Superior Lightweight

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s camp is stacked with world-class fighters, and while Islam Makhachev ruled the UFC lightweight division for three years with a record-breaking four title defenses, Usman Nurmagomedov has been making his mark as the lightweight king of the PFL.

MMA News / MMA on SI / September 3

Ilia Topuria’s brother reportedly set for UFC fight with dangerous KO artist

It's been a while since fight fans have seen Ilia Topuria's brother, Aleksandre Topuria, in the UFC Octagon, but his next fight is reportedly targeted for UFC Qatar later this year.

MMA News / NY Fights / September 1

Colby Covington Targets UFC White House Card and Potential Bout with Paddy Pimblett

Colby Covington is entering the twilight of his 13-year MMA career, and things haven’t been going his way. The former interim welterweight champion is on a two-fight skid, suffering back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley, and has now come up short in three separate title bids at 170 pounds.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 30

Is Topuria Vs. Pimblett The Fight To Make?

Dominick Cruz is making a strong case for Paddy Pimblett to be Ilia Topuria’s first title defense, despite other contenders. The rivalry between Topuria and Pimblett reached a climax at UFC 317 when they had a fiery staredown in the Octagon moments after Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira for the lightweight championship title.

MMA News / HITC / August 28

Spanish journalist clears up rumours about Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje at UFC 322

Any hope of seeing Ilia Topuria back in the cage soon has taken a hit, with a new update shutting down talk of an early return. Following Topuria’s ascent to the top of a second division, attention has shifted to identifying his next opponent.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / August 27

Ilia Topuria’s Team May Have Leaked His Next Opponent for UFC 322

Ilia Topuria’s manager may have just hinted that Gaethje is next—possibly at UFC 322 After UFC 317, Ilia Topuria walked away with arguably the biggest statement of his career—a first-round knockout over Charles Oliveira.

UFC legend predicts nightmare outcome for Ilia Topuria’s potential next fight

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov remained blunt regarding Ilia Topuria's future success in Nurmagomedov's old division: lightweight. Nurmagomedov has retired from MMA in recent years but still follows the happenings of the lighter-weight divisions closely enough to make educated predictions about its immediate future.

'As You Wish!' Islam Makhachev Shifts His Tone on Ilia Topuria Superfight

The rivalry between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria has evolved into one of the UFC’s most intriguing storylines and one of MMA's most captivating sagas in the modern era. Initially, Topuria, the undefeated featherweight king, set his sights on dethroning the pound-for-pound lightweight champion, Makhachev.