Aleksandre Topuria is no ordinary UFC newcomer. While most fighters build their careers on years of personal ambition, Aleksandre sacrificed nearly nine years of his MMA journey to mold his younger brother, Ilia Topuria, into a UFC superstar. Now, with Ilia crowned as the featherweight champion, it’s finally Aleksandre’s time to step into the Octagon.
Aleksandre makes his UFC debut at UFC 312, where he will face Colby Thicknesse, a training partner of Ilia’s rival, Alexander Volkanovski. It’s a high-stakes bout in Sydney, Australia, but Aleksandre isn’t fazed—after all, he has already coached his brother through championship wars against Volkanovski, Max Holloway, Josh Emmett, and Bryce Mitchell. This time, though, he’s not in the corner; he’s inside the cage.
A Long Road to the UFC
“My plan was very different,” Aleksandre told CBS Sports. “I didn’t want to fight directly in the UFC with a 5-1 record.”
Aleksandre originally wanted to accumulate more fights outside the UFC, but Ilia pushed for him to step into the big leagues. “He saw what I did for him and said, ‘OK, now I will push for you.’ That’s the truth,” Aleksandre admitted. While hesitant at first, he ultimately accepted the opportunity.
The Master of Imitation
What separates Aleksandre from most debutants is his uncanny ability to emulate other fighters’ styles. A viral video recently showcased his flawless recreation of Ryan Hall’s signature rolling entries into leg locks, an ability that stunned MMA fans. Social media exploded with reactions, ranging from admiration to skepticism.
- @sad_attic: “He’s fighting known redditor Colby Thicknesse.”
- @CarlosBJJ11MMA: “He’s incredibly smart too.”
- @MMA_Kdot: “Not hard to practice a move u see and re-do it. Not a cheat code. He has so much pressure lol, good luck but if he loses… 😭😭😭”
- @AAramati: “Oh wow he’s copying a fight style.”
- @mayriv2: “I remember when I was rooting for Ryan Hall at the time. He had the reputation of the most ducked fighter.”
Some fans dismissed the skill as mere mimicry, but anyone who understands MMA knows that accurately replicating elite-level techniques requires extraordinary fight IQ. Aleksandre’s ability to study and apply different styles is an invaluable tool—one that could give him an edge in his UFC career.
Aleksandre’s path to the UFC was anything but conventional. He and Ilia debuted as professionals on the same night in 2015, but Aleksandre’s career was put on hold after his first loss. What was supposed to be a short break to refine his boxing turned into a six-and-a-half-year coaching role.
“I would learn and then show Ilia. This led us to the decision that I became Ilia’s trainer and coach because everything was very well. Ilia’s boxing started to get better,” Aleksandre explained.
The results spoke for themselves. Ilia developed into one of the best boxers in the UFC, and Aleksandre became the architect behind his success. Now, it’s time for him to put his own skills to the test.
No Pressure, Just Experience
Despite the weight of his last name, Aleksandre insists that he feels more pressure as a coach than as a mixed martial artist.
“I don’t feel any pressure as a fighter,” he said. “You know when I feel pressure? I feel pressure when I have to stay with Ilia and show Ilia the correct things to do inside the cage. Coaching a guy fighting Volkanovski for the world title and defending the title against Max Holloway—there was a lot of responsibility. So I felt pressure at that moment.”
Now, Aleksandre has the chance to step out of his brother’s shadow and make his own mark in the UFC. His ability to study and replicate styles is a dangerous weapon, and his deep understanding of elite-level strategy gives him an edge over most debutants.
Come Saturday, we’ll find out if Aleksandre Topuria is just another fighter—or if he’s the next cheat code in MMA.
