Ilia Topuria Bio
Ilia Topuria is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist born on January 21, 1997, in Halle, Germany. He competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight division and is the current UFC Lightweight Champion. Since beginning his professional career in 2015, Topuria has become the first Georgian and Spanish fighter to win a UFC championship, gaining recognition for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills and versatility inside the Octagon.
Early Life and Background
Ilia Topuria was born to Georgian parents who were refugees from Abkhazia. At age seven, he moved with his family to Georgia, where he began training in Greco-Roman wrestling. Following the Russo-Georgian War, his family relocated to Alicante, Spain, when he was 15 years old. It was in Spain that Topuria started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Climente gym before transitioning to mixed martial arts. He has an older brother, Aleksandre Topuria, who is also a professional MMA fighter signed with the UFC.
Path to MMA
Topuria began his professional MMA career in 2015 competing in local Spanish competitions. He quickly made a name for himself with four consecutive submission wins on the regional circuit and earned a championship belt in the Mix Fight Events promotion. In 2018, he fought internationally for the first time in Cage MMA Finland and became the first Georgian black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu alongside his brother. That year, he also fought for the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship but was ineligible to win the belt due to missing weight. In 2019, Topuria signed with Brave Combat Federation, where he continued to impress with first-round finishes and earned performance bonuses.
Ilia Topuria Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Topuria’s early career was marked by rapid success on the Spanish regional scene, where he demonstrated strong submission skills. His international debut in 2018 and subsequent performances in Brave Combat Federation showcased his knockout power and grappling prowess. These formative years helped establish him as a rising prospect in MMA, leading to his signing with the UFC in 2020.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2020–Present)
Ilia Topuria made his UFC debut on short notice in October 2020, winning by unanimous decision. He quickly gained attention with knockout victories over notable fighters such as Damon Jackson and Ryan Hall. Despite a canceled bout in early 2022 due to medical issues, Topuria rebounded with a knockout win against Jai Herbert, earning a Performance of the Night award. He continued to impress with submission and decision wins, including a Fight of the Night performance against Josh Emmett in 2023.
In early 2024, Topuria won the UFC Featherweight Championship by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, ending Volkanovski’s four-year reign. He successfully defended the title against Max Holloway later that year. In 2025, Topuria vacated the featherweight title to move permanently to the Lightweight division. He claimed the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship by knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira, becoming the tenth multi-division UFC champion. This victory elevated him to the top of the UFC pound-for-pound rankings for a time.
Topuria Team Era (Present)
Currently training with the Topuria Team in Alicante, Spain, Ilia Topuria continues to develop his skills, blending a strong Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu base with an evolving boxing-heavy striking style. His partnership with coaches and training alongside fellow Georgian UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili has enhanced his grappling and striking capabilities, contributing to his dominant performances in the Octagon.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Topuria is known for his black belt level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and powerful, precise boxing. He employs strategic footwork and shot selection, drawing inspiration from Mexican boxing styles, particularly Canelo Álvarez. His defensive techniques, including the shoulder roll, complement his aggressive striking. Topuria’s wrestling and grappling skills are highly regarded by peers, making him a versatile and dangerous competitor across multiple disciplines.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Topuria’s career include becoming the first Georgian and Spanish UFC champion, winning multi-division titles, and earning multiple Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night awards. His knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title and subsequent victory over Charles Oliveira for the lightweight belt are defining moments that highlight his rapid ascent in MMA.
Ilia Topuria Career Wins
Ilia Topuria boasts an undefeated professional record of 17 wins with no losses. His victories include seven knockouts, eight submissions, and two decisions, reflecting his well-rounded skill set and finishing ability across different fight scenarios.
UFC Highlights
Topuria’s UFC career features several highlight wins, including his knockout of former champions and top contenders. His first UFC win was a unanimous decision on short notice, followed by notable knockouts and submissions that earned him multiple performance bonuses. His crowning achievement was winning the UFC Featherweight Championship and later the Lightweight Championship, marking him as one of the sport’s elite multi-division champions.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Topuria secured regional titles and earned recognition in promotions such as Mix Fight Events and Brave Combat Federation. His early submission victories and championship fights laid the foundation for his successful transition to the global stage.
Ilia Topuria Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ilia Topuria comes from a Georgian family with a strong connection to martial arts. His older brother, Aleksandre Topuria, is also a professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC. Their shared dedication to the sport has been a significant influence on Ilia’s career.
Personal Life
Topuria resides in Alicante, Spain, and is fluent in Georgian, Spanish, English, and has some knowledge of Mingrelian. He is a Christian and holds dual citizenship in Georgia and Spain. He has two children, a son born in 2019 and a daughter born in 2024. In 2024, he was awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia for his sporting achievements.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Ilia Topuria made a significant impact by vacating the UFC Featherweight Championship to focus on the Lightweight division. He captured the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira, earning another Performance of the Night award. This victory temporarily elevated him to the top of the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. Later in the year, Topuria announced a break from competition during the first quarter of 2026 for personal reasons, marking a pause in an otherwise dominant season.