History of Ilia Topuria in Timeline

Ilia Topuria is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC. He is the current UFC Lightweight Champion and former UFC Featherweight Champion, making him the first Georgian and Spanish fighter to hold a UFC title. Topuria has been a professional MMA fighter since 2015 and is currently ranked #1 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

June 24, 2023: Defeated Josh Emmett via unanimous decision

On June 24, 2023, Ilia Topuria faced Josh Emmett at UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria and won the fight via unanimous decision. The bout also earned him the Fight of the Night award.

October 21, 2023: Volkanovski lost to Makhachev

On October 21, 2023, Alexander Volkanovski faced Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 294, replacing an injured Charles Oliveira. Volkanovski was knocked out in the first round, impacting the scheduling of his fight with Topuria.

February 17, 2024: Won UFC Featherweight Championship

On February 17, 2024, Ilia Topuria won the UFC Featherweight Championship by defeating Alexander Volkanovski via knockout in the second round at UFC 298. This victory ended Volkanovski's four-year reign as champion and earned Topuria the Performance of the Night award.

March 5, 2024: Obtained Spanish citizenship

On March 5, 2024, Ilia Topuria officially obtained Spanish citizenship, as announced at the Council of Ministers press conference.

March 21, 2024: Awarded the Order of Honor

On March 21, 2024, Ilia Topuria was awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia in Orbeliani Palace, Tbilisi. The Georgian Prime Minister announced that the government will ensure Ilia retains his Georgian citizenship, making him a dual citizen of Georgia and Spain.

October 26, 2024: Defended UFC Featherweight Championship

On October 26, 2024, Ilia Topuria defended his UFC Featherweight Championship against Max Holloway at UFC 308, winning by knockout in the third round. This victory marked the first knockout loss of Holloway's career and earned Topuria another Performance of the Night award.

February 2025: Aleksandre Topuria's UFC debut

In February 2025, Ilia Topuria's older brother, Aleksandre Topuria, debuted with the UFC at UFC 312.

February 19, 2025: Announcement of vacating title

On February 19, 2025, it was announced that Ilia Topuria would vacate his UFC Featherweight title as soon as the featherweight championship main event at UFC 314 started due to difficulties cutting weight, a lack of interest in the division's competition and a desire to move up to Lightweight permanently.

June 28, 2025: Won the UFC Lightweight Championship

On June 28, 2025, at UFC 317, Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira by knockout to win the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship, becoming the tenth multi-division champion in UFC history. Topuria was also promoted to #1 in the UFC pound for pound rankings.