Ilia Topuria “El Matador”
Lightweight · Spain / Georgia · UFC
Boxing-heavy striker with elite knockout power
Precise combinations leading to clean knockouts
Record & stats
| Division | Lightweight |
|---|---|
| Categories | MMA |
| Promotion | UFC |
| Nationality | Spain / Georgia |
| Born | Halle, Germany (Georgian-Spanish) |
| Team | Topuria Team |
| Pro debut | 2015 |
| Height | 170cm5′7″ |
| Reach | 175cm5′9″ |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Age | 29 |
| KO rate | 88% |
| Status | Active |
How the wins come
88% Finish rate- 7 KO/TKO · 41%
- 8 Submission · 47%
- 2 Decision · 12%
Recent results
- Lvs Justin Gaethje 🏆Gaethje def. Topuria — TKO R4
Auto-linked from KIAI's event coverage — updated as fights are decided.
Titles & honors
- Former UFC Lightweight Champion
- Former UFC Featherweight Champion
Biography
Ilia Topuria, "El Matador," is a Georgian-Spanish striker who became one of the UFC's biggest stars. Born in Germany to Georgian parents and raised between Georgia and Spain, he developed his boxing-centric game under the Climent brothers before forming Topuria Team.
He knocked out pound-for-pound great Alexander Volkanovski to win the Featherweight title at UFC 298 (2024), then iced Max Holloway at UFC 308. Vacating to chase a second belt, he flattened Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317 (June 2025) to claim the vacant Lightweight title.
His aura of invincibility ended in June 2026: at the White House-hosted UFC Freedom 250, Justin Gaethje stopped him via corner stoppage, handing Topuria his first professional loss and the lightweight belt. Now 17-1, he remains an elite, power-laden boxer-puncher weighing his next move after a stunning upset.
Fight history
- LJustin GaethjeL TKO R4
- WCharles OliveiraW KO R1
FAQ
- What is Ilia Topuria's record?
- Ilia Topuria is 17-1 as of June 2026, with his only loss coming to Justin Gaethje.
- Did Ilia Topuria lose his UFC title?
- Yes. He lost the UFC Lightweight title to Justin Gaethje by corner stoppage at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026 — his first pro loss.
- What titles has Topuria held?
- He held both the UFC Featherweight title (won vs. Volkanovski, 2024) and the UFC Lightweight title (won vs. Oliveira, 2025).
- What is Topuria's fighting style?
- He is a boxing-heavy striker known for precise combinations and one-punch knockout power.