Latest news with #Spaniard-Georgian
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Roy Jones Jr offers to help coach UFC star ahead of historic world title fight
Jones Jr - who has great experience coaching the biggest names in boxing - has offered to help training a UFC fighter just weeks before their world title fight Boxing icon Roy Jones Jr has unexpectedly offered to coach Ilia Topuria in the run-up to his lightweight title showdown against Charles Oliveira. Topuria, a former UFC featherweight champion, is set to face off against the Brazilian for the vacant 155lb title on 28 June at UFC 317. This follows shortly after Islam Makhachev relinquished the belt to move up to welterweight, with an immediate title shot against Jack Della Maddalena expected later this year. Oliveira is aiming to reclaim the lightweight championship after losing it to Makhachev in 2022. Meanwhile, Topuria, the Spaniard-Georgian claimed the featherweight title after defeating Alexander Volkanovski last year and successfully defended it with a victory over Max Holloway. Known as 'El Matador', Topuria was initially recognised for his formidable skills on the mat during his rise through the ranks. However, in recent years, his striking ability has significantly improved, earning him recognition as one of the sport's top strikers. With only weeks remaining until his match against Oliveira, Jones Jr has offered to assist the 28-year-old in sharpening his tools. In an interview with Prime Casino, the boxing icon said: "I would make a lot of difference [to Ilia Topuria's camp for Charles Oliveira] because I teach how to get the most out of the striking, how to stay set while you're doing it. Because in MMA you gotta always be set because guys can take your legs out, but the way I fight you always stay set, so I think what I teach would be advantageous to anybody who chose to indulge in it and get what I really teach." The 56-year-old boxing veteran - who last stepped into the ring in 2023 - added: "Roy understands the mechanics of all boxing, all fighting, not just boxing, all arts of fighting. Roy understands the mechanics of MMA totally well and totally understands what's necessary and what's not necessary to make you a better fighter." With the eagerly anticipated clash on the around the corner, Ilia Topuria has shocked the MMA world by parting ways with his lifelong coaches, Agustin and Jorge Climent. The Climent brothers run the renowned Climent Club in Alicante, Spain, where 'El Matador' and his sibling Aleksandre Topuria had trained during their early days in MMA. Following his featherweight championship victory last year, Topuria took the significant step of relocating from Alicante to Madrid. There appears to have been a split in the training camp of the former featherweight champion, as "both sides live in different cities, and their multiple professional projects prevent them from collaborating as they once did," according to a MARCA report. Expressing his gratitude for the support over the years, Topuria extended his thanks: "We thank them for all these years of mutual learning and growth, and they wholeheartedly wish them all the best in all their projects." As he gears up for the bout with his Brazilian opponent, Topuria is expected to have a team that includes his brother, Aleksandre, Jesus Gallo, Javi Climent – who is not connected to the Climent brothers – Mani Tavanaei, and Mathias Ribeiro.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ilia Topuria makes SHOCK decision just weeks before Charles Oliveira title fight
The former featherweight champion will be looking to become a two-division title-holder next month, but has made a stunning change ahead of the clash with the Brazilian Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has parted ways with his lifelong coaches ahead of his eagerly anticipated clash against Charles Oliveira. Earlier this year, Topuria surprised many by announcing his decision to vacate the featherweight title. The Spanish-Georgian fighter claimed the 145lb belt after a brutal knockout of Alexander Volkanovski last year and successfully defended it against Max Holloway in October. Following the back-to-back finishes, Topuria has decided to move up to lightweight and has been immediately granted a title shot after Islam Makhachev opted to vacate the belt to move up to welterweight and face the newly-crowned champion, Jack Della Maddalena. Topuria's high-profile clash with Oliveira is set to headline UFC 317 in Las Vegas on June 28. With just over a month until the two square off in the octagon, reports have emerged that Topuria has split from his coaches, Agustin and Jorge Climent. This news comes as a real shock, given that the 28-year-old is deep into his training camp. The Climent brothers run the Climent Club in Alicante, Spain, where 'El Matador' and his brother Aleksandre Topuria have trained since the start of their MMA careers. After winning the featherweight title last year, Topuria decided to relocate from Alicante to Madrid. The shift appears to have caused a divide in his training. "Both sides live in different cities, and their multiple professional projects prevent them from collaborating as they once did," according to a report from MARCA. Topuria expressed gratitude towards his lifelong coaches, stating: "We thank them for all these years of mutual learning and growth, and they wholeheartedly wish them all the best in all their projects." The Spaniard-Georgian's team is now expected to consist of his brother, Aleksandre, Jesus Gallo, Javi Climent - who is not related to the Climent brothers - Mani Tavanaei and Mathias Ribeiro. It seems as if Topuria and Makhachev hope to one day settle the score after the pair traded barbs online. Eager to take a swipe at the former featherweight star, Makhachev posted: "Difference between me and you, that I cleaned top list in my division, moved to next, but you ran away from two contenders who had consecutive 5-9 wins in FW division. You are nobody in LW division, just a big mouth from Spain with nice haircut. Go get one W, and we can talk boy." Unable to sit back and take the stick, Topuria fired back: "The difference between you and me is that I am a man and you are a coward. I speak and fight. you talk and hide. Run away far, leaving no trace." After his bout with Oliveira was confirmed, Topuria quickly voiced his enthusiasm and pledged to emerge victorious as he aims to become a two-division champion. On X - previously known as Twitter - he posted: "On June 28, another dream will come true. I'll be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance... I'm just fighting for my dreams. It's unfortunate that Makhachev ran away. 17-0."
Express Tribune
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Khabib dismisses Ilia Topuria's lightweight title bid, but UFC Legend backs him
Khabib Nurmagomedov has dismissed Ilia Topuria's bid for a lightweight title shot, but UFC legend Michael Bisping believes the Georgian star has earned his opportunity. Topuria, fresh off knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the UFC featherweight championship, has made a bold career move by vacating his title and shifting his focus to the 155-pound division. The undefeated Spaniard-Georgian fighter (18-0) has confidently called out lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, insisting he's ready for the challenge. However, not everyone agrees that Topuria should get an immediate title shot. Khabib, a longtime mentor to Makhachev, recently dismissed the idea, arguing that Topuria needs to prove himself at lightweight first. 'So Khabib Nurmagomedov came out and said that he doesn't think Topuria deserves the chance, not without proving himself first at 155,' Bisping said on his YouTube channel. The former middleweight champion, however, believes Topuria's dominance at featherweight warrants a direct path to gold at lightweight. "This is a different scenario. Topuria has moved up, okay. He's abandoned 145, he's up to 155, and I think he deserves a title fight. Simple as that," Bisping argued. The debate over Topuria's immediate title contention comes as Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 1 lightweight contender, waits for his own shot at Makhachev. While many believe Tsarukyan should get the next fight, Topuria's rapid rise and star power could make him a compelling alternative. Makhachev, who has spoken about wanting fresh challengers, may eventually have to decide between a rematch with Tsarukyan or an intriguing clash with Topuria. As speculation builds, the lightweight division remains one of the most exciting in the UFC, with multiple contenders vying for their shot at the throne.
