Ilia Topuria
Active 2021–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 92.0
Scouting report
A 96 Boxing rating and 94 Fight IQ power Ilia "El Matador" Topuria, who ascended to the featherweight title with an undefeated record. Born in Halle Westfalen, Germany, and raised in Alicante, Spain, Topuria energized the division through pocket boxing, knockout power, and Greco-Roman grappling, culminating in knocking out Alexander Volkanovski for the undisputed title.
Peak ratings
By edition
Topuria made an undefeated entrance into the UFC between 2020 and 2021, outpointing Youssef Zalal on Fight Island, knocking out Damon Jackson in round one at UFC on ESPN 19, and knocking out Ryan Hall with punches at UFC 264 in Las Vegas. His punching power and Greco-Roman wrestling base are reflected in a 90 Boxing and 86 Wrestling.
Topuria completed his championship rise between 2022 and 2024, submitting Bryce Mitchell via arm-triangle choke at UFC 282, defeating Josh Emmett over five rounds in Jacksonville, and knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in round two at UFC 298 in Anaheim to capture the UFC Featherweight Championship. His boxing power, wrestling control, and timing justify his 96 Boxing and 94 Fight IQ.
Ilia Topuria and the unbeaten record that keeps getting tested
Ilia Topuria is a Georgian-Spanish fighter based in Spain who came up as a grappler and turned into one of the sharpest boxers at 145. He submitted the unbeaten Bryce Mitchell with an arm-triangle in 2022, then knocked out Alexander Volkanovski with a right hook to take the featherweight title and stopped Max Holloway in the third round of his first defense. Nothing in his profile is a liability, so he is an easy early pick.
Topuria attribute by attribute
Boxing. The headline skill. He throws short, compact combinations with real power in both hands, and the right hook that put Volkanovski down came off a clean, patient setup against the fence.
Kickboxing. Good, though the kicks are secondary to the hands. He uses them to change levels and range rather than to score, which suits how he fights.
Wrestling. Better than it looks. He defends takedowns well and can put people on the floor himself, so opponents cannot simply fall back on a wrestling plan.
BJJ. A black belt-level threat. The arm-triangle on Mitchell came in the second round after he had already taken control, and that grappling base is why opponents cannot lunge at him.
Strength. Strong for the division without being the biggest. He walks forward through pressure and is comfortable in the clinch.
Durability. Very solid. He has been hit in his fights and kept his composure, and there is little evidence of a fragile chin.
Cardio. Fine for the class. He rarely needs the late rounds, since his biggest wins ended in the second or third.
Fight IQ. Patient and clear. He reads a lead hand early, waits for an opponent to reset, then strikes the moment a guard drops.
The pick that pays off: Boxing
If you build around one slot, make it the hands. A rating this high means his best shot can end a fight at any moment, and he has the balance to defend behind it. It also covers for slower parts of your roster, because a single clean exchange can settle a round.
Where he gives a little ground: Strength
He is a compact featherweight and not a physical outlier. Against a much bigger wrestler who can pin him to the cage, he would have to lean on timing and technique instead of leverage. Pair him with a couple of heavier bodies if you want to protect against that scenario.
Keep exploring
Closest featherweight profiles to Ilia Topuria, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Alexander Volkanovskibest fight iq 97 · weakest bjj 85
- Jose Aldobest kickboxing 96 · weakest strength 82
- Zabit Magomedsharipovbest kickboxing 90 · weakest strength 80
- Diego Lopesbest bjj 94 · weakest wrestling 80
- Featherweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Ilia Topuria's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Ilia Topuria into your build
Ilia Topuria enters the pool on any spin landing on featherweight between 2020 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Ilia Topuria is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Ilia Topuria's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.