Ilia Topuria: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Ilia Topuria leaves UFC legends stunned with refusal to face top contender

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is being held in high regard by his peers, some of whom believe he's mishandling his No. 1-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

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UFC legend rejects Islam Makhachev’s ‘backwards’ opinion on Ilia Topuria’s pound-for-pound ranking

Islam Makhachev has been told that he’s got it all wrong with his view on Ilia Topuria’s climb to becoming pound-for-pound king. Much of this year has featured talk of a potential super fight between Topuria and Makhachev.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 29

Aljamain Sterling says one UFC bantamweight contender would give Ilia Topuria ‘crazy fight’

Aljamain Sterling is intrigued by one fight in particular for Ilia Topuria. UFC Champion Ilia Topuria has dominated across three weight classes in his career: bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight, where he won his second UFC title with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 27

Ilia Topuria Goes ‘Conor McGregor 2.0’ Route, Reveals Breaking Bank With $200,000 Private Jet Flights!

Although there are two-division champions in the annals of UFC competition history, there has only ever been one Conor McGregor. McGregor’s list of achievements took a boosted start as he concurrently held the UFC 145 and 155-pound championship golds.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 27

Islam Makhachev Reduces Ilia Topuria’s P4P Achievement to ‘Marketing Hype’

Islam Makhachev reigned as the UFC’s pound-for-pound No.1 fighter for over 600 days. The Dagestani star made history by defending his lightweight title for a record four times during his reign, surpassing the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov, BJ Penn, and others.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 25

Arman Tsarukyan proposes $500,000 bet to Ilia Topuria after UFC champ refused no. 1 contender

Arman Tsarukyan is ready to put his money where his mouth is against Ilia Topuria. The #1 UFC lightweight in the world secured his place at the top of the division with back-to-back wins over former champion Charles Oliveira and perennial contender Beneil Dariush.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 25

Charles Oliveira gets trolled in first call-out since devastating KO loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317

The ball is in Charles Oliveira’s court after an offer from a top lightweight contender. It’s nearly been a month since Ilia Topuria emerged the new UFC Lightweight Champion of the world.

MMA News / HITC / July 25

Dustin Poirier highlights what Max Holloway must change for potential rematch with Ilia Topuria

Dustin Poirier believes a potential rematch between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway could go a bit differently this time around. After his win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318, Max Holloway is in a good position according to UFC CEO Dana White, who commented on Holloway’s place in the lightweight division following the fight.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 25

Ilia Topuria says he’d rather give up his UFC belt than face top contender

Ilia Topuria has explained he'd rather vacate his belt than welcome a fight with the No. 1-ranked lightweight title contender. 'El Matador' vied hard for his shot at lightweight gold, hounding Islam Makhachev for a fight before eventually knocking out Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt at UFC 317.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 25

Ilia Topuria is accused of outdoing Jon Jones with the ‘most blatant ducking’ in UFC history

Ilia Topuria is being criticized for his stance on defending the UFC lightweight title against one particular contender. Topuria is less than one month removed from reaching two-division glory on MMA’s biggest stage, a feat he achieved in the curtain closer of this year’s edition of International Fight Week.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 25

Ilia Topuria hopes UFC gives him Conor McGregor treatment after Canelo-Crawford fight

Ilia Topuria has ambitious goals. Having already won the UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Championships, Topuria's quest to become a global combat sports star has few avenues.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 24

Top UFC lightweight claims ‘short guy’ Ilia Topuria won’t get past his wrestling: ‘No problem’

UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria has a big target on his back. Top contenders Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett are all gnawing at the chance to fight the new champion after he knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 24

Dustin Poirier gives honest take on potential Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway rematch

Dustin Poirier thinks Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway 2 could play out a little bit differently. BMF Champion Max Holloway is in a ‘great spot’ following his unanimous decision win over the now-retired Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 last weekend.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 24

Ilia Topuria names 2 opponents UFC could push him to fight next

Ilia Topuria is conscious of two names he could fight next in the lightweight division. 'El Matador' captured lightweight gold by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

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MMA News / FirstSportz / July 24

Bryce Mitchell Claims Grapplers can Defeat ‘Unbeatable’ Ilia Topuria: 'He’s in Trouble!'

Ilia Topuria has stunned the MMA world by claiming titles in two divisions, defeating several top fan-favorite fighters with ease. Now seen as the pound-for-pound best, Topuria’s dominance has sparked debates, with many labeling him an unstoppable force inside the cage.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 24

Ilia Topuria Snubbing Arman Tsarukyan Dubbed as ‘Cowardly’: 'Already Looking for a way Out'

At UFC 317 last month, Ilia Topuria made history by becoming the first undefeated double champion in UFC history. He did it in emphatic fashion, knocking out Charles Oliveira in under five minutes.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 23

Ilia Topuria reveals popular contender needs one more win as he whittles down first title challenger

Ilia Topuria has several options for his first title defense but he believes the UFC have whittled it down to just two names. Last month, Ilia Topuria continued his incredible run in the premier promotion when he knocked Charles Oliveira out cold in the UFC 317 main event to become the new lightweight champion.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 21

Ilia Topuria Continues ‘BMF’ Taunts Despite Max Holloway’s UFC 318 Win

Max Holloway etched his name in UFC history at UFC 318 by becoming the first fighter to successfully defend the BMF strap. The five-round BMF battle was contested at 155-pounds this time again, and marked Dustin Poirier’s swan song.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / July 20

Max Holloway Sends a Clear Message to Ilia Topuria After His UFC 318 Victory

A dominant win at UFC 318 sets the stage for a potential high-stakes rematch. It was an emotional night at UFC 318, as fans witnessed the farewell fight of a true legend.

MMA News / HITC / July 20

Justin Gaethje gives update on Ilia Topuria fight after threatening UFC retirement

Justin Gaethje hasn’t changed his position on a potential lightweight title fight with Ilia Topuria. Topuria became the new lightweight champion at UFC 317 on June 29, taking down Charles Oliveira in the first round to add a second belt to his collection.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / July 15

Former UFC lightweight champion says 'Ilia Topuria is special'

Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria moved up a division and capture the lightweight title by knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28 (full fight video). The win capped off one of the most impressive three-fight runs in the promotion's history.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / July 14

Former UFC Champion and Ilia Topuria KO Victim Throws Shade on Undefeated Run

One former champ isn't sold on Topuria's resume — even after a crushing first-round finish. Ilia Topuria’s performance at UFC 317 sent shockwaves through the featherweight division.

MMA News / MMA Sucka / July 5

Former Interim Featherweight Championship Challenger Gives Plaudit to Topuria

Josh Emmett (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) knows and has seen the power of current UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) firsthand. When Topuria was in the UFC featherweight division, Emmett served as his foe on the other side of the cage two summers ago.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / July 2

Ilia Topuria’s Plan for the Undefeated Star Is Anything But Respectful

Fresh off a thunderous knockout win at UFC 317, Ilia Topuria has been making the media rounds with the confidence only a newly crowned champion could carry.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / June 29

Ilia Topuria Kept His Promise In KO Win

Ilia Topuria told people this week that he would knock out Charles Oliveira in the first round. With 2:27 left in the first round. Topuria connected with a short right to Oliveira’s chin and followed with a left hook.