Ilia Topuria’s journey to becoming the UFC featherweight champion came to an end at UFC 298. A spectacular second-round knockout secured not only the coveted title but also marked the end of his opponent Alexander Volkanovski’s reign.
Topuria has received appreciation from fans worldwide, especially those in his native Georgia and Spain. His stellar performance granted him a unique honor. He participated in the ceremonial kickoff for the Real Madrid vs. Sevilla football match among an audience of 80,000.
Topuria is currently based in Spain and lives there for training. He recently received a particularly heartfelt gesture from the Spanish government after his match.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised Topuria in a recent tweet, detailing their encounter. Sánchez expressed, “This morning I met [Ilia Topuria], the new UFC featherweight world champion. Your effort, dedication, and perseverance have led you to fulfill one of your dreams. The second will also become a reality very soon. Your love for Spain will be reflected in your Spanish ID.”
Basking in newfound fame post his UFC 298 title win, Topuria now stands on the brink of another significant milestone. He may be soon acquiring Spanish citizenship.
Topuria currently maintains an undefeated record in his professional MMA career, winning against formidable opponents like Alexander Volkanovski, Bryce Mitchell, and Josh Emmett. This unparalleled track record solidifies his standing as a dominant force in the featherweight division.
Speculation swirls around Topuria headlining the first UFC event in Spain later this year, as hinted by UFC CEO Dana White. The excitement builds for a remarkable exhibition of Topuria’s skills on his home turf.
Topuria boldly said in a recent interview how excited he is ready to take on the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov in what would be a dream match for many MMA fans.
Topuria said: “I would be happy to enter the octagon with Khabib Nurmagomedov. He had an undefeated record at 29-0 and he had an attractive record for me, then also history. He is a worthy and honorable champion for me.”
He then went on to say: “100% [I could beat Khabib].”