Latest news with #LaLeyenda
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ilia Topuria reveals UFC return date following Islam Makhachev speculation
Ilia Topuria has confirmed his next fight will take place at UFC 317 after speculation over a mega fight with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The Spanish-Georgian has 'promised' his next fight will be for the lightweight title after he vacated the featherweight belt in February, leading to Alexander Volkanovski defeating Diego Lopes for the belt at UFC 314. Advertisement And now 'La Leyenda' has confirmed he'll return on 28 June, prompting speculation it will be for the lightweight title against Russian champion Makhachev. 'I would like to thank the community of Madrid and its President for this recognition by the Grand Cross of the Order of Dos de Mayo,' Topuria said. 'I am very sorry for not being able to be there with you. But I've got training ahead of me and I hope to make you all happy again on 28 June. Have a great time.' UFC 317 will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with a main event yet to be confirmed, though the UFC Flyweight title will see Alexandre Pantoja face Kai Kara-France, plus Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape and Justin Tafa vs. Jhonata Diniz. Advertisement Topuria's striking coach Javi Climent has told KOlmenero about his fighter's chances up at lightweight and in particular with the unbeaten Makhachev. 'I think it could be a great fight with Islam. I don't know how he'd approach it,' he said. 'I don't know if he'd want to stay standing or go for the takedown right away. I think once he feels Ilia's hands and realizes he can't handle them.' And Climent believes Topuria would have great success against another potential opponent in Charles Oliveira, stating: 'He is a great fighter... but looking at their styles, it would be a very difficult fight for Oliveira. Ilia Topuria parading his UFC title at Real Madrid's stadium in 2024 (Getty Images) 'Ilia destroys him standing. I'm 100 percent sure. I say this with the utmost respect, but I truly don't see how they could prepare a strategy against us. I see a lot of disadvantages for Oliveira.' Advertisement Topuria even commented on a potential match-up with Oliveira, adding: 'I haven't dissed him, I've told the truth. He has 10 losses. I haven't said anything else. He has 10 losses – five by knockout, four by submission, one by decision. 'He says [lightweight] is the toughest division there is. When he was fighting at 145, even Cub Swanson beat him up. That's where the conversation ends. 'Something he couldn't achieve at 145lb, he did at 155, where he became champion. So, why is that division tougher than the one I come from? I don't find any logic in it, and that's why I said it seems like he hasn't read a single page of a newspaper. So, if that's disrespectful... I don't know since when telling the truth is disrespectful.'
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ilia Topuria reveals UFC return date following Islam Makhachev speculation
Ilia Topuria has confirmed his next fight will take place at UFC 317 after speculation over a mega fight with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The Spanish-Georgian has 'promised' his next fight will be for the lightweight title after he vacated the featherweight belt in February, leading to Alexander Volkanovski defeating Diego Lopes for the belt at UFC 314. And now 'La Leyenda' has confirmed he'll return on 28 June, prompting speculation it will be for the lightweight title against Russian champion Makhachev. 'I would like to thank the community of Madrid and its President for this recognition by the Grand Cross of the Order of Dos de Mayo,' Topuria said. 'I am very sorry for not being able to be there with you. But I've got training ahead of me and I hope to make you all happy again on 28 June. Have a great time.' UFC 317 will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with a main event yet to be confirmed, though the UFC Flyweight title will see Alexandre Pantoja face Kai Kara-France, plus Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape and Justin Tafa vs. Jhonata Diniz. Topuria's striking coach Javi Climent has told KOlmenero about his fighter's chances up at lightweight and in particular with the unbeaten Makhachev. 'I think it could be a great fight with Islam. I don't know how he'd approach it,' he said. 'I don't know if he'd want to stay standing or go for the takedown right away. I think once he feels Ilia's hands and realizes he can't handle them.' And Climent believes Topuria would have great success against another potential opponent in Charles Oliveira, stating: 'He is a great fighter... but looking at their styles, it would be a very difficult fight for Oliveira. 'Ilia destroys him standing. I'm 100 percent sure. I say this with the utmost respect, but I truly don't see how they could prepare a strategy against us. I see a lot of disadvantages for Oliveira.' Topuria even commented on a potential match-up with Oliveira, adding: 'I haven't dissed him, I've told the truth. He has 10 losses. I haven't said anything else. He has 10 losses – five by knockout, four by submission, one by decision. 'He says [lightweight] is the toughest division there is. When he was fighting at 145, even Cub Swanson beat him up. That's where the conversation ends. 'Something he couldn't achieve at 145lb, he did at 155, where he became champion. So, why is that division tougher than the one I come from? I don't find any logic in it, and that's why I said it seems like he hasn't read a single page of a newspaper. So, if that's disrespectful... I don't know since when telling the truth is disrespectful.'
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ilia Topuria: Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje 'easy' UFC wins for Paddy Pimblett
Ilia Topuria: Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje 'easy' UFC wins for Paddy Pimblett Ilia Topuria surprisingly backs rival Paddy Pimblett in multiple big matchups. Ilia Topuria surprisingly backs rival Paddy Pimblett in multiple big matchups. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and Pimblett have been trading barbs for years, and are closer than ever to being able to settle their beef after Topuria vacated his UFC featherweight title for a move up to lightweight. Pimblett emerged as a top contender after running through Michael Chandler in a TKO finish at UFC 314 this past Saturday. Topuria wants a direct shot at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, and thinks Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) should face Justin Gaethje next – a fight he sees him winning handily. "I would put Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett, me against Islam," Topuria said on "The Joe Rogan Experience." "Once I pass him, I get the title, and you put me against Paddy. I think he's going to (beat Gaethje) easy. He doesn't know how to grapple, and Paddy knows how. Did you ever see him submitting someone? What everyone likes is to dominate people and to win as soon as possible. If you had the ability to submit someone as soon as you can, you would do it." Not only does Topuria see Pimblett beating Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), he thinks he'd make easy work of former UFC dual-champion Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) if he ever returned to fighting. "Paddy beats him easy now," Topuria said of McGregor. "On the feet, he's a motherf*cker, I know that. He can knock out like everyone." If Pimblett lives up to the potential Topuria sees in him, "La Leyenda" thinks a fight between them would be massive – even more intriguing than one with McGregor. "What excites me more (than McGregor) is the fight with Paddy," Topuria said. "If they could put that fight in Spain, in the Bernabeu Stadium. I know that Dana doesn't like to the put the events in stadiums, but that is the only stadium in the world that they can close the roof."
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ilia Topuria's career earnings show swift pay jump as UFC star discusses retirement
In a new podcast appearance, Ilia Topuria has discussed his career UFC earnings and revealed when he plans to retire from mixed martial arts – as he seeks big fights and major paydays before hanging up his gloves. The unbeaten Topuria, 28, claimed the UFC featherweight title in February 2024, knocking out long-reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski to do so. Then, in October, he knocked out former champion Max Holloway to retain the belt. The Spanish-Georgian then vacated the title this February, amid a planned move to lightweight, where he hopes to challenge for a second UFC belt. And on the PBD Podcast on Friday (11 April), host Patrick Bet-David talked listeners through Topuria's career UFC earnings, as 'El Matador' (or 'La Leyenda' as he now wishes to be known) weighed in on the matter. 'One of your first fights, you made $38,500 – 10 October 2020. Then you made $50k, then $75k, then $90k,' said businessman Bet-David, referring to Topuria's first four UFC bouts: a decision win over Youssef Zalal, and knockouts of Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall and Jai Herbert. 'Then you made $154k with Bryce Mitchell, one of your good friends,' Bet-David joked, 'and then you made $200k with Josh Emmett.' Topuria submitted Mitchell in late 2022 and outpointed Emmett in 2023. 'Then you made $532k [...] with Volk, then you made $2.44m with Holloway. So, roughly your career earnings are $3.5m. 'This is a very good trajectory. If this is a stock, there are some real good things around the corner for you, fight-wise.' 'It's not only fight-wise, it's also business-wise,' Topuria countered. 'That's why I try to develop all the time my skills, because at some point I'm gonna retire, and I'm gonna make a living from something else.' It is unclear how much money Topuria has made outside the cage, though he is believed to have several business partnerships on the go, including with Spanish football giants Real Madrid. When asked when he plans to retire, the 28-year-old said he will fight 'until I [no longer] enjoy it to be honest'. Topuria has said the UFC promised him a title fight at lightweight in his next contest, though it is unclear whether he will challenge incumbent champion Islam Makhachev; the Russian could face another contender first, with Topuria fighting the winner. Volkanovski would face Diego Lopes for the vacant gold. That fight headlines UFC 314 in Miami on Saturday (12 April).
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ilia Topuria unveils new nickname ahead of UFC lightweight move
It turns out Ilia Topuria is changing more than just his weight class. He's also changing his nickname. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who vacated the UFC featherweight championship for a move up to 155 pounds, will debut in the division with a new nickname, according to Mundo Deportivo. Topuria previously teased a new identity and will now go from being 'El Matador' to 'La Leyenda,' which translates to 'The Legend.' ''El Matador' is something that has been with me throughout my career, throughout my rise, and it's something that has led me to the new nickname, because a lot of people … it's like I always say: You need to believe,' Topuria said in Spanish during a press conference. 'You need to see to believe. I believe it first, and then I see it. So the nickname that will accompany me in my next fights is going to be 'La Leyenda.'' Ilia Topuria is switching fight name from 'El Matador' to 'La Leyenda' (The Legend). He's making the switch to signal a 'new era' in his career as he moves up to 155 pounds. 🇪🇸🌹 — Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) March 25, 2025 The unbeaten UFC star is coming off back-to-back knockouts of featherweight greats Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, which earned him MMA Junkie Fighter of the Year honors in 2024. By Topuria relinquishing his 145-pound title, Volkanovski will face Diego Lopes for the vacant belt in the UFC 314 headliner April 12 in Miami. Topuria is eyeing an immediate shot at the UFC lightweight title, but champion Islam Makhachev and his team believe Topuria needs to earn his way to an opportunity by beating a top contender.
