What Country does Ilia Topuria Represent?

Ilia Topuria is a professional MMA fighter who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Topuria competes in the Featherweight division (145 lbs) of the UFC, and he currently holds the title of the division's champion.

Topuria holds an undefeated professional MMA record of 15 wins in 15 fights (15-0-0) and is gearing up for his first title shot against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024.

Ilia Topuria Nationality

Ilia Topuria is of both Georgian and Spanish nationalities. Topuria, who was born in Halle Westfalen, Germany, to parents of Georgian heritage, has expressed his affection for both countries and the opportunities they have provided him. He desires to represent both Georgia and Spain in the UFC. Furthermore, Topuria holds citizenship in both nations, making him eligible to represent either in his fighting career.

Also Read: Is Ilia Topuria Spanish?

Ilia Topuria Brother

Ilia Topuria's elder brother, Alexsandre Topuria, is also an MMA fighter who has recently signed with the UFC. Alexsandre goes by the moniker 'El Cazador' and is currently 28 years of age. With a 5-1-0 record in professional MMA, he fights in the bantamweight division (135 lbs).

Early Life and Career of Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria and his family relocated to Georgia at the age of seven, where he began practicing Greco-Roman Wrestling at school. At 15, he moved to Alicante, Spain, where he trained in martial arts at the Clement Club. Starting his professional career in local competitions in 2015, he gained attention with four consecutive submission victories on the Spanish regional circuit. He won a belt in the Mix Fight Events promotion. In 2018, he competed internationally in Cage MMA Finland and achieved the distinction of becoming the first Georgian black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, alongside his brother Alex Topuria.

Later that year, Topuria had the opportunity to fight for the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship in Belgium, but despite winning the fight, he did not receive the title due to failing to meet the agreed weight.

In 2019, he signed with Brave Combat Federation. He made his debut in Bogota, Colombia, where he secured a first-round submission victory over Luis Gomez, earning him the award for the best performance of the night. In November of the same year, he continued his success in the promotion by knocking out Steven Goncalves in the first round in Bahrain.

Stepping in as a replacement for Seung Woo Choi, Ilia Topuria made his UFC debut on short notice against Youssef Zalal on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen.

Last Updated On February 18, 2024