

Ilia Topuria, the reigning featherweight champion, has made a name for himself with a lethal mix of precision, power, and unshakable confidence. Undefeated in his professional MMA career so far, he became the first Georgian to win a UFC title in 2024. And in his first title defense, he became the first man to knock out Max Holloway inside the Octagon!
But what if we told you he isn’t the only Topuria built for greatness? There’s another warrior in the family, one who’s ready to carve out his own legacy inside the Octagon. But who is he? And just how dangerous is he inside the cage? Let’s find out!
All about Ilia Topuria’s brother, Aleksandre Topuria
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At UFC 312, the spotlight won’t just be on the title fights headlining the card. A new name is set to ignite the Octagon—Aleksandre ‘El Cazador’ Topuria. The 29-year-old is making his UFC debut, stepping onto the grandest stage of them all in Sydney, Australia.
Ilia and Aleksandre were born in Germany and later moved to Georgia when ‘El Matador’ was just seven years old. Born just a year apart, the Topuria brothers share more than just blood—they share a warrior’s spirit.
But it’s not just his fighting prowess that sets Aleksandre apart, it’s his intellect. According to Guram Kutateladze, Ilia Topuria’s training partner, “He has big trust in his team and his brother Aleksandre that is in my opinion Mr. Brainiac of the whole team.”
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Even his brother, the UFC featherweight champion has previously stated that without Aleksandre in his corner, he wouldn’t have been able to get as far as he has. In a previous interview, ‘El Matador’ confessed, “He studies his rivals a lot, he has a very privileged mind, and he has been the most important piece of my team, without a doubt… Once again, my words will be fulfilled… By the end of 2026, the beginning of 2027, he will be the champion – he won’t lose a single fight… Zero doubts.”
A bold prediction, but how does Aleksandre Topuria’s MMA record look ahead of his UFC debut? Let’s take a deeper look into ‘El Cazador’s journey so far.
Aleksandre Topuria’s MMA journey so far
Aleksandre isn’t walking into the UFC as just another prospect—he’s stepping in as a finisher. With a professional record of 5-1, ‘El Cazador’ has never let the judges decide his fate. An in-depth look at the details of the fights also paints an intriguing picture.
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‘El Cazador’ boasts two submission wins and three massive KO/TKO victories. Each of his knockouts has been a swift execution. Opponents barely have time to process what’s happening before they’re staring at the lights. The numbers don’t lie—1:27, 1:54, and 1:48. That’s all the time he’s needed to put three fighters away.
His only loss? A third-round knockout to Ivo Ivanov in 2015. However, Aleksandre Topuria was in the early stages of his career at the time and was only 20 years old. The fight was also reportedly very short notice and was held at a catchweight after his opponent failed to hit the weight limit for the bout.
If that’s not enough, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson was also full of high praise for Ilia Topuria’s brother in a video on his YouTube channel. While analyzing his pre-UFC highlights, ‘Mighty Mouse’ stated, “This could be a good shakeup for the bantamweight division because I think that division is one of the hottest in the UFC right now… Add him in there and I think that’ll be dope.”
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With support from one of the most well-rounded fighters in history, expectations are sky-high as UFC 312 draws near. Ilia Topuria has already planted the family flag at the summit of the featherweight division. Now, his older brother is setting his sights on gold in the bantamweight ranks. Could we be witnessing the rise of one of the UFC’s greatest fighting families? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Are the Topuria brothers the next great fighting dynasty in the UFC?
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