Ilia Topuria’s meteoric rise in the UFC featherweight division is no secret to fans around the world. His journey resembles a rare comet passing by, much like Conor McGregor’s legendary ascent years ago. But unlike McGregor, who embraced a ‘Notorious’ persona, ‘El Matador’ has gained a reputation as the “good guy“, a quality apparent by his demeanor during various media events leading up to the Abu Dhabi PPV card. The MMA community collectively agrees that this adds a unique charm to Topuria’s appeal compared to McGregor’s brash demeanor.

In a recent interview with EssentiallySports’ Andrew Whitelaw, UFC commentator John Gooden shared his thoughts on what makes Ilia Topuria special in today’s sport. When asked, “What makes Ilia special, and how important is he to the game right now?” Without hesitation, Gooden emphasized the importance of results in modern sports, referencing his experience interviewing Topuria backstage at UFC 308. The UFC commentator highlighted how Ilia Topuria showcased his unique skills in an exceptional performance against former champion Max Holloway, noting, in Gooden’s words, “no one ever knocked him out before.”

Reflecting on his pre-fight interview with Topuria, Gooden stated his thoughts to EssentiallySports, “There’s a certain amount there. I’m not saying it’s false, but every once in a while, you’ll speak with an athlete, and I don’t think I’m unfair in saying this or coming to this kind of conclusion, where they say the words, but I’m not sure they even believe it. But they feel like they’ve got to say the words. That wasn’t the case for Topuria. I think he’s authentic himself.”

With victories over legends like Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year and now Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria has become a focal point of discussion among MMA pundits and analysts. Many are beginning to see him as a potential heir to Conor McGregor’s legacy—if he continues on this remarkable trajectory.

Is Ilia Topuria on his way to surpassing McGregor’s legacy?

In early 2020, few could have predicted that an undefeated Spanish-Georgian prospect, Ilia Topuria, would soon rise through the ranks of the UFC’s 145lbs division. Having already made a name for himself on the regional circuits, Topuria’s dream was clear: to follow in the footsteps of his idol, two-division champion Conor McGregor. Fast forward just four years, and Topuria has established himself as a star in his own right. His style, charisma, tattoos, walking mannerisms, and trash talk have drawn comparisons to McGregor, captivating both fight fans and the Spanish-Georgian community.

This rapid rise has even caught the eye of UFC veteran Chael Sonnen. In a recent YouTube video, Sonnen shared his verdict on ‘El Matador’, stating, “He’s got the Prime Minister of Spain watching his fights and having people filming. He’s got the biggest actresses, the most successful athletes – which are football [players] in Spain – coming and watching him live. The guy never misses. It turns out he’s as good as he said. I mean, it’s going to be a short period – he’s not here now, but it’s a short period. At this trajectory, believe this or not, he’s going to surpass Conor McGregor.”

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What’s your take on UFC commentator John Gooden’s remarks about the featherweight king? Do you think Ilia Topuria is genuinely a “special” fighter in the promotion, particularly with his attitude of “I do what I say”? Drop your opinion below.