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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Sports Desk • Mma

Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC lightweight division.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Ilia Topuria is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the UFC lightweight division. He is a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, and the first fighter representing Georgia and Spain to win UFC titles.

What it is

Ilia Topuria is a professional mixed martial artist born in Germany to Georgian parents. He fights under both Georgian and Spanish flags. His nickname is 'El Matador.' He competes in the UFC lightweight division and has held championships in two weight classes.

Why it matters

Topuria is the first fighter from Georgia and Spain to win UFC titles. He defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the vacant lightweight title after vacating his featherweight belt. His undefeated record and finishing ability make him a top pound-for-pound contender, followed by Canadian MMA audiences.

Key details

Topuria has a professional record of 17–0, with seven knockouts and eight submissions. He stands 5 ft 7 in (170 cm). He turned pro in 2015. UFC rankings place him among the top lightweight and pound-for-pound fighters.

In short

  • First fighter from Georgia and Spain to win UFC titles.
  • Undefeated pro record of 17–0.
  • Held titles in featherweight and lightweight divisions.
  • Won lightweight title at UFC 317 by defeating Charles Oliveira.
Canadian angle

Topuria is relevant to Canadian MMA readers as a current UFC champion whose fights and rankings are followed by Canadian audiences and covered by international sports media.

Quick questions

Who is Ilia Topuria?
Ilia Topuria is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC lightweight division and is a former two-division champion.
What is Ilia Topuria’s record?
His professional MMA record is 17–0, with seven knockouts and eight submissions.
How old is Ilia Topuria?
He was born on January 21, 1997, making him 29 years old as of July 2026.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilia_Topuria
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, current UFC division, former titles, rankings
  2. Official website — https://iliatopuriaoficial.com/en/biography/
    Supports: Biography, birthplace context, title history, undefeated status
  3. UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/ilia-topuria
    Supports: Professional background, title win at UFC 317, finishing statistics
  4. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4350812/ilia-topuria
    Supports: Height, birthdate, division, record
  5. Tapology — https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/129278-ilia-topuria
    Supports: Professional record, height, birthplace, nickname
  6. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilia_Topuria
    Supports: Current UFC title status and career overview