In the sun-drenched gym of Alicante, Spain, a teenage Ilia Topuria used to grapple with dreams larger than the mats beneath him. He had career goals that would change the dynamics of the whole UFC. And with a mindset to conquer not just a division but the whole promotion, he will head into UFC 317 to capture the title in a second weight-class title against Charles Oliveira for the 155-pound throne.

The former featherweight champion quickly rose to popularity with his brutal knockout power and his ability to back up his trash talk. But behind each legend or rising talent is a formidable coach, training them and enhancing them with each step. For ‘El Matador’ since the beginning, the coach has been Jorge Climent. And in an unfortunate turn of events, both Topuria and Climent have parted ways since Topuria started training in his private gym in Madrid.

The news that has shocked the whole world of MMA was revealed by Climent when he sat down with Submission Radio. In the interview, when he was asked the question of confirmation of this news, Jorge Climent revealed, “Yes, it’s true. He moved to Madrid, and I have my own project here with my brother. We have our family, we have our club, we have a lot of fighters, we have our own promotion. Ilia went to Madrid—he has his own gym in his house—and he wants all the energy focused on him. So we decided, in general, to each go our own way.”

He further added, “No, no. We don’t work together anymore. He’s going his own way, and we’re going ours. This is big news. I feel… you know, emotionally, this is not easy. It’s not good for the sentimental side of things, but it’s life. We went with him through all the journey, and now he’s grown and he wants to fly on his own. We are very proud do all the work with him, we are very proud for everything he do, I want everything in his life to continue going well.”

For Climent, moving to Madrid, as he revealed, was not possible. He believes ‘El Matador’ has everything he needs at his new gym in Madrid, and Climent has too many duties as a coach. Now, as Topuria prepares for his lightweight title bout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, he does so without the guidance of Climent, marking a significant shift in his journey.

At his $2 million private gym in Madrid, training alongside his brother, Aleksandre Topuria, Ilia has created an environment that fosters both personal and professional growth as he gets ready to face ‘Do Bronxs’ next. So can this gym replace the authenticity of a whole training team?

Ilia Topuria’s new training regimen in Madrid

Topuria’s home gym in Madrid has been equipped with cutting-edge facilities, including a hyperbaric recovery chamber, cryotherapy chamber, and dedicated spaces for boxing, grappling, and wrestling. This setup allows him to integrate all aspects of his training under one roof, ensuring a holistic approach to his fight preparation. Talking about the importance of recovery in his regimen, he stated, “For me, the recovery process is very important. I’m able to prevent injuries, and I don’t have to cure them. I set up everything here. I have the recovery room, I have my boxing trained, the grappling, the wrestling. I surround myself with great professionals who are a part of my team.”

Furthermore, by training alongside his brother, Aleksandre Topuria, Ilia has created an environment that fosters both personal and professional growth. This familial collaboration ensures a supportive atmosphere, crucial for mental and emotional well-being during rigorous training periods. Additionally, ‘El Matador’ continues to work with his boxing coach, Javi Climent, maintaining a connection to his foundational training roots.

Now, as Topuria prepares to face Charles Oliveira next, his revamped training regimen positions him to approach the fight with renewed vigor and strategy. His new training setup in Madrid exemplifies a modern, integrated approach to MMA preparation. By combining advanced technology, familial support, and strategic planning, he is setting a precedent for personalized and effective training methodologies in the sport.

But will it successfully replace the glory and respect Ilia Topuria has earned throughout his career? Will this new gym be able to help Topuria as his team has for so long? And will he be able to beat Charles Oliveira? This and many more, Ilia Topuria has a lot of questions to answer. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.