History of Ilia Topuria in Timeline
Ilia Topuria is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's Lightweight division, where he is the reigning champion. He is also the former UFC Featherweight Champion, the first fighter from Georgia and Spain to achieve this feat. As of November 18, 2025, he holds the #2 spot in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. Topuria has been a professional MMA fighter since 2015 and has quickly risen to prominence in the UFC.
2 hours ago : Topuria eyes Gaethje clash; brother analyzes Gaethje's fight style, hints at fragility.
Ilia Topuria plans celebration before potential Gaethje fight. His brother, Aleksandre, analyzes Gaethje's fighting style, suggesting vulnerabilities. The Topuria camp prepares strategically for the clash.
January 21, 1997: Ilia Topuria Born
On January 21, 1997, Ilia Topuria was born. He is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist.
2015: Professional Debut
In 2015, Ilia Topuria made his professional debut in local competitions after training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and switching to mixed martial arts.
May 2018: First Georgian Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In May 2018, Ilia Topuria became the first Georgian black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu alongside his brother, Alex Topuria.
November 15, 2019: Second Brave CF Fight
On November 15, 2019, Ilia Topuria won his second fight in BRAVE by defeating Steven Goncalves by KO in the first round.
2019: Son Born
In 2019, Ilia Topuria had a son with his then wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell.
October 11, 2020: UFC Debut
On October 11, 2020, Ilia Topuria made his UFC debut as a replacement for Seung Woo Choi, facing Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen. Topuria won the fight via unanimous decision.
December 5, 2020: Victory Against Damon Jackson
On December 5, 2020, Ilia Topuria faced Damon Jackson at UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori. He won the fight via knockout in round one.
2020: Signs with UFC
In 2020, Ilia Topuria officially signed with the UFC and won his first 6 fights in the promotion, including a dominant decision win over Josh Emmett which earned him a title shot.
July 10, 2021: Victory Against Ryan Hall
On July 10, 2021, Ilia Topuria faced Ryan Hall at UFC 264. He won the fight via knockout in round one.
January 22, 2022: Fight Cancellation
On January 22, 2022, Ilia Topuria was scheduled to face Movsar Evloev at UFC 270. However, Evloev withdrew, and after a replacement was found, Topuria was pulled from the card due to a medical issue related to cutting weight, and the bout was cancelled.
March 19, 2022: Performance of the Night Award
On March 19, 2022, Ilia Topuria faced Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night 204, replacing Mike Davis. Despite being knocked down in round one, Topuria recovered and won the fight via knockout in round two, earning him the Performance of the Night award.
October 29, 2022: Fight Cancellation
On October 29, 2022, Ilia Topuria was scheduled to face Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 213. However, Barboza withdrew in late September due to a knee injury.
December 10, 2022: Performance of the Night Award
On December 10, 2022, Ilia Topuria faced Bryce Mitchell at UFC 282. He won the fight via submission in round two, earning him the Performance of the Night award.
June 17, 2023: Scheduled Fight
Ilia Topuria was initially scheduled to face Josh Emmett on June 17, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 47. This fight was later rescheduled.
June 24, 2023: Fight of the Night Award
On June 24, 2023, Ilia Topuria faced Josh Emmett at UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria. He won the fight via unanimous decision, and the bout earned him the Fight of the Night award.
October 2023: Scheduled Fight Against Volkanovski
In October 2023, Ilia Topuria was scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski on January 20, 2024, for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 297. However, the fight was later pushed back one month.
October 21, 2023: Volkanovski Fights Makhachev
On October 21, 2023, Alexander Volkanovski, originally scheduled to fight Ilia Topuria in January 2024, faced Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 294 on 10 days' notice, replacing an injured Charles Oliveira, and was knocked out in the first round.
January 20, 2024: Scheduled Fight Against Volkanovski
On January 20, 2024, Ilia Topuria was scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 297 for the UFC Featherweight Championship but this fight was ultimately postponed.
February 17, 2024: Performance of the Night Award
On February 17, 2024, Ilia Topuria faced Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 and won the featherweight championship via knockout in the second round, ending Volkanovski's four-year reign. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
March 5, 2024: Spanish Citizenship Obtained
On March 5, 2024, Ilia Topuria obtained Spanish citizenship after it was announced at the Council of Ministers press conference.
March 21, 2024: Awarded Order of Honor
On March 21, 2024, Ilia Topuria was awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia in Orbeliani Palace, Tbilisi, Georgia. That day, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the government will ensure Ilia retains his Georgian citizenship, making him a dual citizen of Georgia and Spain.
October 26, 2024: Performance of the Night Award
On October 26, 2024, Ilia Topuria defended his UFC Featherweight Championship against Max Holloway at UFC 308 and won by knockout in the third round, marking the first knockout loss of Holloway's career. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
2024: Featherweight Championship Title Defense and Vacating
In 2024 Ilia Topuria had several career milestones. He challenged Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 on February 17th, winning the UFC Featherweight Championship via knockout in the second round. He then secured his first title defense on October 26th against Max Holloway at UFC 308, stopping him in the third round. After vacating the belt, Topuria faced Charles Oliveira for the vacant Lightweight title, knocking him out in the first round to become a two-division champion with an undefeated record.
2024: Daughter Born
In 2024, Ilia Topuria had a daughter with his then wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell.
February 2025: Aleksandre Topuria's UFC Debut
In February 2025, Ilia Topuria's older brother Aleksandre, also a mixed martial artist, debuted with the UFC at UFC 312.
February 19, 2025: Title Vacated
On February 19, 2025, it was announced that Ilia Topuria would vacate his title as soon as the featherweight championship main event at UFC 314 started, citing difficulties cutting weight, lack of interest in the division's competition, and a desire to move up to lightweight permanently.
June 28, 2025: Performance of the Night Award and Multi-Division Champion
On June 28, 2025, Ilia Topuria faced Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 317 and defeated Oliveira by knockout, becoming the 10th multi-division champion in UFC history. The fighter earned him another Performance of the Night award.
November 2025: Announced Inactivity
In November 2025, Ilia Topuria announced that he would not compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal reasons.
November 18, 2025: UFC Pound-for-Pound Ranking
As of November 18, 2025, Ilia Topuria is ranked #2 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.
November 19, 2025: UFC Pound-for-Pound Ranking Change
On November 19, 2025, Ilia Topuria was initially promoted to #1 in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings following his victory over Charles Oliveira. However, the #1 ranking was given back to Islam Makhachev after he claimed the welterweight championship.
2025: Divorce Filing
In August of 2025, Ilia Topuria's relationship with his former spouse Giorgina Uzcategui officially ended and Topuria filed a civil divorce petition in Spain in late October of that same year.
June 14, 2026: Scheduled Title Defense
Ilia Topuria is scheduled to make his first title defense against interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event on June 14, 2026 at UFC Freedom 250.
2026: Court of Violence Appearance
According to El Mundo, on January 7th, 2026 Ilia Topuria was called to Court of Violence against Women following a criminal complaint. Topuria refuted these claims stating that it was a family and administrative matter involving an issue related to his daughter's travel outside of Spain.
2026: Planned Inactivity
In November 2025, Ilia Topuria announced that he would not compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal reasons.
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