Ilia Topuria is the next contender for Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski‘s UFC featherweight title. And many believe that this fight could perhaps be Volkanovski’s most challenging one yet in the division. Certainly, Topuria and his striking pose a threat for ‘The Great’ but will it be enough to get a win?

Topuria is a powerful fighter with more than just sharp striking in his arsenal. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and was trained in the Greco-Roman style of wrestling very early on in his childhood. A man built to fight, here’s more about Topuria’s beginnings and where he comes from.

Ilia Topura, where does he hail from?

Ilia Topuria was born in Halle Westfalen, Germany. He was born to Georgian parents and at age seven, he and his family moved to Georgia. where he would soon be exposed to wrestling in his school. Later, he moved to Spain at the age of 15.

It was here that he started learning mixed martial arts in Alicante. Topuria loved the idea of Spain opening up its arms for him and said in an Instagram post that he hoped to lift Spain’s flag over his head someday. If he wins the title at UFC 298, he’d be able to do just that.

Trending

Dana White Goes Against Joe Rogan’s Approval and “Listens to the Fans” to Confirm End of UFC Apex as MMA World Rejoices at Bold Decision

May 12, 2024 06:50 AM EDT

Khabib Nurmagomedov Reportedly in Deep Waters as $3.3M Trouble with Russian Feds Sparks Controversy

May 11, 2024 07:10 PM EDT

UFC News: Dana White Gets a Headliner Headache as Islam Makhachev Demands Madison Square Garden Amid Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic Request

May 11, 2024 08:33 AM EDT

Insider Says Jake Paul Risks Bout Cancellation by Trying to “Kill” Mike Tyson in Boxing Ring – “Put in a Death Clause”

May 11, 2024 10:00 PM EDT

Russian Gold Medallist Wrestler, Banned From Olympics 2024, Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Advice for Him

May 12, 2024 06:45 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

The 27-year-old began his journey with the UFC when he got a short-notice bout against Youssef Zalal at a Fight Night event on October 11, 2020. To put things in perspective, Alexander Volkanovski won his title fight against Max Holloway and became the featherweight champion in 2019. That means, ‘The Great’ has reigned supreme for longer than Topuria has even been with the promotion.

Either way, the Georgian force of nature knows no fear and once announced “Soon the world is going to know me” on his Instagram post as he came to the United States of America in Las Vegas for the UFC. Defeating the undefeated featherweight champion would be the perfect thing to do to prove his point. However, given his roots, does he believe in a particular religion?

What is Topuria’s faith?

Ilia Topuria is a Christian by faith. While he hasn’t been very public about his beliefs, many reports suggest that the fighter believes in Christianity. His background can lead one to believe that he is Georgian-German in terms of ethnicity. His family was originally from Georgia, it was merely that they lived in Germany at the time he was born in 1997.

Watch This Story: Colby Covington Breaks Character And Trains With The Nelk Boys 

His love for Spain, too, is visible even in his moniker ‘El Matador’. Matadors are brave bullfighters who have the ultimate task of defeating the bull that they’re put inside a stadium with. For Topuria, perhaps the bull will appear in the form of an Australian featherweight champion who has only lost two fights in the past few years and neither of those were against another featherweight fighter. Will Topuria bring all the power he needs for this UFC 298 fight?

Dana White Reacts to Friend Tom Brady and UFC Champ Alexander Volkanovski’s Wholesome Interaction