Ilia Topuria El Matador

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Fighter bio

Ilia Topuria, nicknamed “El Matador”, is a Spanish-Georgian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter currently competing in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on January 21, 1997 in Halle, Germany, to Georgian parents, he moved to Spain as a child, where he began training in Greco-Roman wrestling before turning to MMA.

Topuria began his professional MMA career in 2015. He joined the UFC in 2020 and quickly racked up an impressive winning streak. On February 17, 2024, at UFC 298, he won the featherweight title by beating Alexander Volkanovski by second-round knockout. He successfully defended his title on October 26, 2024, at UFC 308, inflicting a third-round KO on Max Holloway.

In January 2025, Topuria announced his decision to move up to lightweight, thereby vacating his featherweight title. The move up was motivated by his desire to challenge the reigning lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. Despite the weight difference, Topuria is confident in his abilities, backed by his unbeaten record of 16 victories, including 6 by KO and 8 by submission.

On a personal level, Ilia Topuria is in a relationship with Giorgina Uzcategui Badell, an entrepreneur and former real estate agent. The couple have two children: a son born in 2019 and a daughter born in 2024. Topuria is also a fervent Real Madrid fan, sharing this passion with his potential future opponent, Islam Makhachev.

Outside the octagon, Topuria is known for his commitment to the Spanish-Georgian community and his desire to promote MMA in Spain and Georgia. His rapid ascent and spectacular fighting style make him one of the UFC's most prominent rising figures.