LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 05: In this UFC handout, (R-L) Damon Jackson punches Ilia Topuria of Germany in a featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 05, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Was Ilia Topuria scheduled to face Petr Yan in the UFC?
At UFC Jacksonville, Ilia Topuria put on a magnificent performance, decisively beating Josh Emmett over the course of five rounds. In the fourth round, judge Chris Lee stunned the crowd by scoring the bout a rare and resounding 10-7 for Topuria.
In a fascinating twist of fate, the young and promising Ilia Topuria found himself on the cusp of making his UFC debut at the tender age of 21. The stage was set for him to step in on short notice and face none other than Petr Yan at #UFCMoscow in 2018.
It was a golden opportunity, and Topuria eagerly accepted the challenge, even embarking on the rigorous process of cutting weight. However, destiny had other plans, as Yan ultimately ended up squaring off against Jin Soo Son instead of the talented young Topuria. It was a missed chance, but one that serves as a captivating reminder of the unpredictable nature of the fight game and the incredible journeys that unfold within its realm.
Ilia Topuria boasts an impressive finish rate throughout his undefeated professional career. Out of his 14 victories, he has finished 11 of his opponents, showcasing his ability to end fights decisively.
Topuria’s finishes include a variety of techniques, demonstrating his versatility and well-rounded skill set. Among his notable finishes are a submission victory via arm-triangle choke against Bryce Mitchell at UFC 282, a knockout victory via punches against Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall, and a knockout victory via punches against Ryan Hall at UFC 264.
His finishing prowess extends to his earlier fights as well, with victories by submission, technical submission, and knockout against respected opponents in various promotions. Notably, he won the vacant MFE Featherweight Championship by submitting Jhon Guarin with a guillotine choke.
With a perfect professional record and an impressive finish rate, Ilia Topuria has established himself as a formidable force in the featherweight division. His ability to end fights in an emphatic fashion adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to his future matchups in the UFC.
Ilia Topuria, fresh off his impressive victory over Josh Emmett at UFC Jacksonville, has set his sights on his next move in the featherweight division. With the biggest win of his UFC career under his belt, Topuria is ready for the next challenge.
Having likely earned a spot in the top five of the featherweight rankings, Topuria finds himself in an intriguing position. While a matchup with contenders like Brian Ortega or Arnold Allen could make sense, Topuria has his sights set on two specific options. He desires a title shot against the winner of the upcoming bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290. Alternatively, he would be thrilled to face Max Holloway in Spain.
During the UFC Jacksonville press conference, Topuria expressed his willingness to wait for his desired opportunities. With patience being one of his greatest virtues, he stated, “If they offer me to fight Max Holloway in Spain – let’s do it. If not, I’m gonna wait for my title shot. That’s all.”
Considering Holloway’s upcoming fight against “The Korean Zombie,” a matchup with the winner of UFC 290 aligns better with the timeline. However, Topuria’s impressive UFC record of 6-0, including four finishes, puts him in a strong position to make a case for either option.
As Topuria eagerly awaits his next challenge, fans can anticipate exciting matchups and potential title implications as the talented featherweight continues to make his mark in the UFC.
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