MMA NEWS

UFC · Lightweight

Ilia Topuria

Cartoon portrait of Ilia Topuria against the flags of Spain and Georgia.

17–1–0

7 KO · 8 SUB · 2 DEC

Height
5′7″170 cm
Reach
69″175 cm
Weight
155 lb70 kg
Age
29
Born
January 21, 1997
From
Germany
Style
Jiu-jitsu
Team
Team Topuria
Streak
0wins
UFC
9–1
Last
Justin GaethjeLoss · June 14, 2026

Ilia Topuria fights at lightweight in the UFC.

Germany is his hometown. He trains at Team Topuria, measures a 37-inch (94 cm) leg reach, and the pro debut was a first-round triangle choke of Francisco Javier Asprilla on April 4, 2015.

He started jiu-jitsu at four because his father put him in it, worked as a cashier at Stradivarius before he fought, won the Arnold Fighter tournament, placed second in Europe in youth jiu-jitsu, and holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

He won the UFC lightweight title, the UFC featherweight title, and the Mix Fights WMMAL featherweight title, and the Cage Warriors bantamweight title fight ended in less than two minutes, where he missed weight and did not get the belt.

The UFC header marks the bout against Justin Gaethje on June 14, 2026, a win. The history says Gaethje stopped him by corner stoppage at 5:00 of the fourth round at UFC Freedom 250, and he lost the lightweight title.

Ten of the wins ended in the first round, four ended in the second, and one ended in the third.

The fight list dates the Max Holloway bout October 26, 2024, and the history dates it October 30, 2024. The fighter facts say he vacated the featherweight title in April 2025, and the UFC history says he vacated it in February 2025.

The Octagon debut was a three-round unanimous decision over Youssef Zalal on October 10, 2020.

Cartoon of Ilia Topuria calling Paddy Pimblett out beside a calendar open to April.

Fight night · UFC

Topuria calls for Pimblett in April

He said he might retire after that fight. Gaethje stopped him by corner stoppage at 5:00 of the fourth round at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, and he lost the lightweight title.

Cartoon of Dana White speaking beside Ilia Topuria in the octagon.

Fight night · UFC

Dana White says Ilia Topuria returns in early 2027

White did not name the opponent. Justin Gaethje stopped Topuria at 5:00 of the fourth round at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026, and he has shut down an immediate rematch.

DateOpponentResultMethodRoundTimeEvent
Justin GaethjeLossTKO (corner stoppage)Lost the lightweight title.45:00UFC Freedom 250
Charles OliveiraWinKO (punches)Won the vacant lightweight title.12:27UFC 317
Max HollowayWinKO (punches)Defended the featherweight title.31:34UFC 308
Alexander VolkanovskiWinKO (punch)Won the featherweight title.23:32UFC 298
Josh EmmettWinDecision (unanimous)55:00UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria
Bryce MitchellWinSubmission (arm-triangle choke)23:10UFC 282
Jai HerbertWinKO (punches)21:07UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall
Ryan HallWinKO (punches)14:47UFC 264
Damon JacksonWinKO (punches)12:38UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori
Youssef ZalalWinDecision (unanimous)35:00UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen
Steven GoncalvesWinKO (punch)13:42Brave CF 29
Luis GomezWinSubmission (triangle armbar)11:15Brave CF 26
Brian BoulandWinTechnical submission (anaconda choke)Missed weight and was ineligible for the vacant bantamweight title.11:39Cage Warriors 94
Mika HämäläinenWinSubmission (guillotine choke)13:35CAGE 43
Jhon GuarinWinSubmission (guillotine choke)Won the Mix Fights WMMAL featherweight title.22:50Mix Fight Events 28
Daniel VasquezWinSubmission (rear-naked choke)Catchweight (141 lb).11:50Mix Fight Events 26
Kalil Martin El ChalibiWinSubmission (rear-naked choke)11:03Climent Show MMA 4
Francisco Javier AsprillaWinSubmission (triangle choke)13:30Mix Fight Events 17