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Lightweight Division

#2 PFP

Active

Title Holder

"El Matador"

Ilia Topuria

Lightweight Division

17-0-0 (W-L-D)

7

Wins by Knockout

8

Wins by Submission

11

First Round Finishes

Ilia Topuria
  • Last fight

    Win
    Ilia Topuria

    Topuria vs Oliveira

    Jun. 28, 2025
  • Upcoming fight

    Ilia Topuria
    Justin Gaethje

    Topuria vs Gaethje

    Jun. 14, 2026

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Ilia Topuria's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Active
Place of Birth
Germany
Fighting style
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Age
29
Height
67.00
Weight
155.00
Octagon Debut
Oct. 10, 2020
Reach
69.00
Leg reach
37.00
  • Pro since 2015
     
  • Seven wins by KO, eight by submission (Triangle, 2 RNC, 2 guillotine, Anaconda choke, triangle armbar, arm triangle)
     
  • 10 first round finishes
     
  • Vacated featherweight title in April 2025 to fight for vacant lightweight title at UFC 317

UFC 317 (06/28/25) Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at 2:27 of the first round to win the UFC lightweight title

UFC 308 (10/30/24) Topuria knocked out Max Holloway at 1:34 of the third round to retain his UFC featherweight title. Vacated title in February 2025

UFC 298 (2/17/24) Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at 3:32 of the second round to win the UFC featherweight title 

UFC on ABC (6/24/23) Topuria won a five round unanimous decision over Josh Emmett 

UFC 282 (12/10/22) Topuria submitted Bryce Mitchell via arm triangle choke at 3:10 of the second round

UFC Fight Night (3/19/22) Topuria knocked out Jai Herbert at 1:07 of the second round

UFC 264 (7/10/21) Topuria knocked out Ryan Hall at 4:47 of the first round

UFC on ESPN (12/5/20) Topuria knocked out Damon Jackson at 2:38 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (10/10/20) Topuria won a three round unanimous decision over Youssef Zalal

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started when I was four years old with jiu-jitsu because my father got me involved.

Training: BJJ, taekwondo, kickboxing, wrestling, boxing, stamina

What ranks and titles have you held? UFC lightweight champion, UFC featherweight champion, Mix Fights WMMAL featherweight title

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? An opportunity that can change my life and my family’s life.

What was your job before you started fighting? Cashier at Stradivarius 

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition?

  • Winning the Arnold Schwarzenegger tournament called Arnold Fighter
  • Second place in Europe in youth Jiu-Jitsu 

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Winning Cage Warriors bantamweight title fight in less than 2 minutes. (Did not make weight, therefore did not get the belt)

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Black belt in BJJ

Favorite grappling technique: Anaconda choke

Favorite Striking technique: Liver shot