Latest news with #Spanish-Georgian
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ilia Topuria splits from coaches in shock move ahead of UFC 317 title fight
In a surprising move, Ilia Topuria has reportedly split from his longtime coaches ahead of his lightweight title fight at UFC 317. On 28 June, Topuria will fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt, after Islam Makhachev relinquished the gold to pursue the welterweight title. Similarly, Topuria vacated the featherweight strap in February to chase lightweight gold. Advertisement And the Spanish-Georgian, despite preparing for one of the biggest bouts of his career, has decided to split from fraternal coaches Jorge and Augustin Climent as he starts camp. That is per Spanish publication Marca, as well as MMA Fighting. Per these reports, Topuria and his brother Aleksandre – a UFC bantamweight – are parting ways with the Climent brothers on good terms. The move is apparently the result of the distance between the coaches' gym in Alicante and Topuria's residence in Madrid. Before his title defence against Max Holloway in October, the Climent brothers would travel back and forth between their gym and Madrid, with Topuria remaining in the Spanish capital. Topuria went on to knock out Holloway in round three, building on a second-round KO of Alexander Volkanovski last February, with which 'El Matador' won the 145lb title. Ilia Topuria is congratulated by his coaches after winning the UFC featherweight title (Getty) Now, the 28-year-old is moving up to 155lb, where he stopped Jai Herbert in 2022 – but only after suffering a knockdown. Advertisement In Oliveira, Topuria will take on a former lightweight champion. The Brazilian, 35, held the gold from May 2021 until May 2022, stopping Michael Chandler to win the vacant belt before submitting Dustin Poirier to retain it, and ultimately losing the title on the scales. A day before his planned title defence against Justin Gaethje, Oliveira narrowly missed weight, and so he was stripped of the belt and unable to regain it the next night. In any case, he submitted Gaethje to set up a vacant-title fight with Makhachev, who submitted 'Do Bronx' and held the gold until this month. Makhachev achieved a record four successful lightweight title defences along the way, and he now eyes 170lb glory. That means a much-desired bout between the Russian and Topuria has passed fans by – for now, at least.
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."
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.'
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).
