It may be early to declare that Ilia Topuria has cleared out the featherweight division, but it’s tempting to think so. Alexander Volkanovski held the title for an impressive 1,525 days until Topuria took it from him this past February. Before Volkanovski, Max Holloway reigned for 1,099 days after first winning the interim title back in 2016 at UFC 206 — until Topuria became the first fighter to knock him out last Saturday at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
That’s a combined 2,624 days — over seven years — of featherweight dominance that Topuria, “El Matador,” dismantled in 2024. His emergence isn’t just a sensation for fans waiting to see a new superstar; it’s a full-scale takeover. The German-born Spaniard/Georgian, standing only 5-foot-7, has waged a revolution reminiscent of Napoleon, whose brief yet decisive success at the Battle of Austerlitz remains hard to top.
Topuria’s rise wasn’t entirely unexpected. When he effortlessly handled Ryan Hall’s imanari rolls and neutralized Bryce Mitchell’s grappling, fans got a glimpse of his potential. His skill set was clear as he took on and dominated Josh Emmett, winning one of the rounds 50-42 on a scorecard that felt generous to Emmett.
But these last two victories? Taking out Volkanovski, the undefeated featherweight champion with 13 straight wins in the division, and knocking out Holloway in his 29th UFC fight? No fighter has ever started a title reign by going through such fire. Even Jon Jones, who began his championship journey by dispatching light heavyweight veterans, didn’t face an initial challenge as fierce.
Topuria has turned legends into stepping stones, tackling Hall of Fame-caliber fighters like puzzles to solve within 25 minutes. Holloway, as expected, came ready to fight, using his range to control the distance and keeping Topuria at bay with jabs, kicks, and a steady offense. Yet, Topuria’s quick hands and sharp movements began closing in. The tension mounted, and the crowd could sense the power Topuria was looking to unleash.
That moment arrived in the third round, when a devastating left hook from Topuria floored the beloved Holloway. The fight ended in an instant, leaving fans at the Etihad stunned as Topuria celebrated his first title defense.
Despite his monumental achievements, a single defense doesn’t clean out a division. Volkanovski, with his five title defenses, has earned the right for a rematch. Rising contenders like Diego Lopes, or perhaps the winner of Aljamain Sterling and Movsar Evloev, could soon step up as well. But for now, Topuria stands firmly atop the featherweight ranks, his belt gleaming alongside his BMF title, captured at UFC 308. Fans are already clamoring for a superfight — fighters across weight classes, from Sean O’Malley to Conor McGregor, are looking to take him on. Even Islam Makhachev looms as a potential rival down the line.
At only 27 years old, Topuria’s future in the sport shines brightly, and he may just be entering his prime. This is a fighter who not only declared on social media he would take down Volkanovski and knock out Holloway, but followed through on both promises. That level of skill, confidence, and honesty is rare in MMA, and Topuria’s rise feels like a new era for featherweight — one where his words carry weight, and his punches even more.Topuria’s journey has all the makings of a legendary story. Unlike many rising champions who build their reputation gradually, Topuria has blazed through the featherweight division with an explosive style, precision, and unshakable confidence. His ability to not just win but dominate in his bouts makes him a rare commodity in MMA, and fans have quickly rallied around the notion that he’s not just a flash in the pan, but the real deal.
The knockouts, the composure, and the way he systematically disassembles elite fighters are setting new standards for the featherweight class. His precision strikes are calculated and terrifyingly accurate, and his footwork, honed through years of training, shows that he’s always thinking two moves ahead. He doesn’t rush in recklessly; instead, he’s a tactician who creates openings and capitalizes on them with clinical efficiency. In a sport where one mistake can end a career, Topuria’s steadiness under pressure is part of what has made him so formidable.
