Ilia Topuria’s time in MMA could also be shorter than many anticipate. Topuria has quickly change into some of the recognizable figures in fight sports activities, propelled by his dominant run contained in the UFC.
“El Matador” captured the featherweight crown with a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024, then made historical past later that October by turning into the primary fighter to ever knock out Max Holloway, efficiently defending his title at UFC 308.
Topuria later vacated the 145-pound title and moved up a weight class, cementing his standing as a two-division champion with a first-round knockout of former light-weight king Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 this previous June.
Final month, the 28-year-old Georgian Spaniard introduced he would step away from lively competitors to handle private issues. Nonetheless, at any time when his hiatus does finish, the remaining size of Topuria’s MMA profession stays an open query.
Ilia Topuria Suggests His Time in MMA Is Working Brief
Throughout a latest interview with Marca, Ilia Topuria opened up about his long-term plans in fight sports activities, admitting he doesn’t see himself staying in MMA for for much longer and intends to finally make a full shift into boxing.
The reigning UFC light-weight champion made it clear he has no real interest in splitting his focus between two disciplines, explaining that he plans to compete in MMA for slightly longer earlier than absolutely committing himself to a whole transition and coaching for the squared circle.
“It’s no secret that I’ve at all times needed to attempt my hand at boxing,” Ilia Topuria mentioned. “However I feel one thing I’ve at all times utilized to my life is that in the event you attempt to catch two rabbits, you find yourself catching neither. So, I wish to end my story in combined martial arts, in MMA, first, and as soon as I’m performed, then make my full transition to boxing. I can’t be getting ready for an MMA combat, then depart, put together for a boxing match, come again… I don’t assume that may be very skilled, would it not?
“As a result of boxing requires a very totally different method, very, very, very totally different coaching that I’ve to adapt to. Clearly, the timing is totally different, and nicely, it’s not even an Octagon; it’s a hoop, and I must adapt to that, which takes time, like every part in life. So, proper now, in combined martial arts, once I end—which I don’t assume will likely be too lengthy, to be trustworthy—I’ll make my transition to boxing, and I’m going to shock various individuals.”
“El Matador” stays unbeaten in his MMA profession at 17–0, together with an ideal 9–0 run within the UFC, with a dominant resume that includes seven knockout victories and eight submission finishes.
