Ilia Topuria
17-0-0
Lightweight
About
Undefeated two-division UFC champion 'El Matador,' the brash superstar who knocked out a generation of greats.
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Ilia 'El Matador' Topuria is one of the UFC's brightest stars, an undefeated two-division champion who pairs pressure boxing and frightening knockout power with a black-belt grappling base. He announced himself by knocking out the great Alexander Volkanovski to win the featherweight title in 2024, then stopped the seemingly unfinishable Max Holloway.
Rather than defend at 145, he vacated and moved up, knocking out Charles Oliveira in 2025 to claim the lightweight title and stay perfect at 17-0. As gifted as he is brash, Topuria calls out legends and then beats them - a swagger that thrills his fans and grates on everyone else, making him one of the sport's most polarizing and compelling figures.
Why fans love Topuria
Flawless record, highlight-reel knockout power and the audacity to call out and finish the division's biggest names.
Why some fans hate Topuria
His relentless arrogance, brash trash talk and constant callouts of legends rub plenty of fans the wrong way.
