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Shines in first title defense
Topuria retained the UFC Featherweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Max Holloway via KO (punches) at 1:34 of Round 3 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
To give you an idea of what Topuria just accomplished, he becomes the first man to stop Holloway -- arguably the most durable fighter in the history of the sport -- via strikes. This was a very even fight up until the very end. Topuria absolutely landed the more damaging blows, but Holloway was firing off the volume and that kept it plenty competitive. Yet, as we have seen countless times in the past, Ilia's power was the true difference-maker. One huge right hand left Holloway stunned, and a left hook sent him sprawling to the mat. A few follow-up blows later and it was all over. Still just 27 years of age, Topuria has knocked out Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski in the span of just over eight months. It's one of the most impressive two-fight streaks in the history of the sport and makes him a legitimate candidate for Fighter of the Year recognition. While not confirmed, it appears as if the UFC is leaning towards a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski. In the meantime, Topuria will also walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
To give you an idea of what Topuria just accomplished, he becomes the first man to stop Holloway -- arguably the most durable fighter in the history of the sport -- via strikes. This was a very even fight up until the very end. Topuria absolutely landed the more damaging blows, but Holloway was firing off the volume and that kept it plenty competitive. Yet, as we have seen countless times in the past, Ilia's power was the true difference-maker. One huge right hand left Holloway stunned, and a left hook sent him sprawling to the mat. A few follow-up blows later and it was all over. Still just 27 years of age, Topuria has knocked out Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski in the span of just over eight months. It's one of the most impressive two-fight streaks in the history of the sport and makes him a legitimate candidate for Fighter of the Year recognition. While not confirmed, it appears as if the UFC is leaning towards a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski. In the meantime, Topuria will also walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Set to defend featherweight throne
Topuria will take on Max Holloway in a featherweight showdown at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Topuria is coming off a victory over Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC Featherweight Championship back in February. He'll now look to defend his throne in a huge showdown with Holloway, who has won three straight fights. Interestingly enough, Holloway's last three defeats dating back to 2019 all came at the hands of Volkanovski, who again Topuria recently disposed of in the second round with a Right Hook.
Topuria is coming off a victory over Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC Featherweight Championship back in February. He'll now look to defend his throne in a huge showdown with Holloway, who has won three straight fights. Interestingly enough, Holloway's last three defeats dating back to 2019 all came at the hands of Volkanovski, who again Topuria recently disposed of in the second round with a Right Hook.
Claims throne at featherweight
Topuria won the UFC Featherweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Alexander Volkanovski via KO (punches) at 3:32 of Round 2 at UFC 298 in Anaheim.
ANALYSIS
With all due the respect to the likes of Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell, many would say this was our first real look at Topuria against the top of the food chain at 145 pounds. Boy, did he pass the test. Ilia looked comfortable throughout fight week and was stunningly calm walking to the Octagon in the biggest moment of his career. He went out and backed up his words. Topuria got the better of the striking exchanges with Volkanovski, landing the more damaging blows for as long as the bout lasted. Ilia handled whatever was thrown back his way, changing angles and never letting Volk get in a groove. The finish came when Topuria crushed Volkanovski with a crushing right hand during an exchange along the fence. The blow shut down the now former-champion's system in an instant. Topuria added a couple follow-up shots, but referee Jason Herzog was on top of it, and it was clear as day this fight was over. We've seen young, up-and-coming fighters time and time again crumble under the bright lights. That did not happen here. Topuria has legitimate staying power in one of the deepest division's in the sport. The big winner here may be Max Holloway. Max lost three times to Volkanovski, but would appear to be back in the title picture now that we have a new champion. In the meantime, Topuria will also walk away with one of three $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening.
With all due the respect to the likes of Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell, many would say this was our first real look at Topuria against the top of the food chain at 145 pounds. Boy, did he pass the test. Ilia looked comfortable throughout fight week and was stunningly calm walking to the Octagon in the biggest moment of his career. He went out and backed up his words. Topuria got the better of the striking exchanges with Volkanovski, landing the more damaging blows for as long as the bout lasted. Ilia handled whatever was thrown back his way, changing angles and never letting Volk get in a groove. The finish came when Topuria crushed Volkanovski with a crushing right hand during an exchange along the fence. The blow shut down the now former-champion's system in an instant. Topuria added a couple follow-up shots, but referee Jason Herzog was on top of it, and it was clear as day this fight was over. We've seen young, up-and-coming fighters time and time again crumble under the bright lights. That did not happen here. Topuria has legitimate staying power in one of the deepest division's in the sport. The big winner here may be Max Holloway. Max lost three times to Volkanovski, but would appear to be back in the title picture now that we have a new champion. In the meantime, Topuria will also walk away with one of three $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening.
Challenging featherweight champion
Topuria is scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski on Feb. 17 in Anaheim at UFC 298 in a bout for the UFC Featherweight Championship, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Topuria entered the UFC with Volkanovski as featherweight champion and did not disappoint. The former has won each of his six fights since then, the latest being a decisive five-rounder against interim title challenger Josh Emmett. Volkanovski remained great during Topuria's rise, fending off all featherweight challengers and even challenging for lightweight gold recently. What the Georgian may lack in big fights, he makes up for with his decisive wins, youth and less damage. After all, the 35-year-old Volkanovski will be fighting Topuria just four months after getting knocked out by a head kick courtesy of Islam Makhachev.
Topuria entered the UFC with Volkanovski as featherweight champion and did not disappoint. The former has won each of his six fights since then, the latest being a decisive five-rounder against interim title challenger Josh Emmett. Volkanovski remained great during Topuria's rise, fending off all featherweight challengers and even challenging for lightweight gold recently. What the Georgian may lack in big fights, he makes up for with his decisive wins, youth and less damage. After all, the 35-year-old Volkanovski will be fighting Topuria just four months after getting knocked out by a head kick courtesy of Islam Makhachev.
Rise to top continues
Topuria defeated Josh Emmett via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-42, 49-45) at UFC on ABC 5 on Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida.
ANALYSIS
The only negative thing that can be said about Topuria's performance was that he wasn't able to earn the stoppage. Of course, that was the result of the superhuman toughness of Emmett, as most any other mere mortal would have been done far earlier in the fight. Ilia appeared calm and composed in the biggest fight of his career to date. Facing an opponent with excellent power, he defended well and finished the fight with a 171-89 edge in total strikes landed. Topuria closed the show -- and Emmett's remarkable comeback attempt -- by landing all three of his Round 5 takedown attempts. It was an all-around dominant performance by one of the best young fighters in the sport today. The 26-year-old has now won each of his first half-dozen UFC bouts and hasn't been tested yet. There's a non-zero chance Topuria's next fight could come for the UFC Featherweight Championship, but it's more likely he will need one more big victory before getting his shot at the belt. In the meantime, he'll walk away with an extra $50,000 here after the main event was given Fight of the Night honors.
The only negative thing that can be said about Topuria's performance was that he wasn't able to earn the stoppage. Of course, that was the result of the superhuman toughness of Emmett, as most any other mere mortal would have been done far earlier in the fight. Ilia appeared calm and composed in the biggest fight of his career to date. Facing an opponent with excellent power, he defended well and finished the fight with a 171-89 edge in total strikes landed. Topuria closed the show -- and Emmett's remarkable comeback attempt -- by landing all three of his Round 5 takedown attempts. It was an all-around dominant performance by one of the best young fighters in the sport today. The 26-year-old has now won each of his first half-dozen UFC bouts and hasn't been tested yet. There's a non-zero chance Topuria's next fight could come for the UFC Featherweight Championship, but it's more likely he will need one more big victory before getting his shot at the belt. In the meantime, he'll walk away with an extra $50,000 here after the main event was given Fight of the Night honors.