Ilia ‘El Matador’ Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion born on January 21, 1997, in Halle, Germany. Growing up in a Georgian family, he later moved to Spain, where he started training in martial arts. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu-based fighter but an all-around skilled martial artist with devastating knockout power and grappling skills.
Topuria entered the UFC in October 2020 and quickly worked his way up to the top. As of October 25, 2024, Topuria remains undefeated, with his biggest highlight being knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298 to claim the featherweight crown. Inside the octagon, he also has notable victories against top contenders like Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell. He is known for finishing fights, with nine first-round finishes in his career and a finish rate of 86.6 percent. Topuria’s story is highlighted in the documentary Topuria: Matador, which explores his journey from humble beginnings in war-torn Georgia to becoming a UFC champion. This documentary was released in September 2024.
Has Topuria been knocked down?
Yes, Ilia Topuria has been knocked down once in the UFC. At UFC London in March 2022, Ilia Topuria faced British fighter Jai Herbert, who quickly tested Topuria with his powerful striking. Early in the first round, Herbert landed a significant head kick, dropping Topuria and putting him on the defensive. However, Topuria regained his composure and adjusted his strategy, closing the distance to neutralize Herbert’s reach. In the second round, Topuria unleashed a powerful right hook, knocking Herbert out cold in a dramatic comeback victory.
Ilia Topuria UFC Knockouts
Ilia Topuria has four knockout victories in the UFC as of October 25, 2024. He had his first KO win against Damon Jackson, showing just how lethal his striking is. Later in July 2021, Topuria defeated grappling specialist Ryan Hall by outmaneuvering Hall's tactics and securing a first-round knockout win to keep him undefeated via crisp punches.
Nearly a year later, he had a tough fight against Jai Herbert. Knocked down early in the first round, Topuria rallied with a strong right hand in the second round, securing a KO and collecting his Performance of the Night bonus. His most emphatic knockout came in February 2024, when he defeated Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship, winning via second-round stoppage to become the division's champion.
Also Read: Ilia Topuria Record
FAQs On Has Ilia Topuria Losses
A. He has a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 0 losses.
A. Jai Herbert is the only fighter who has knocked down Ilia Topuria in the UFC so far.
A. He has 5 knockout victories as of October 25, 2024.
A. Ilia Topuria boasts a finish ratio of 86.6%.
