Ilia Topuria is a Georgian-Spanish martial Artist who is currently the featherweight champion in the UFC. He is the youngest active champion in the UFC.  Known as "El Matador," Topuria is one of the most skilled fighters in MMA history, with a background in Greco-Roman Wrestling and boxing. At the age of 7, Topuria began his training in Greco-Roman wrestling in Georgia, a country that takes great pride in wrestling. At the age of 15, Topuria started to learn Mixed Martial Arts at the Climent Club in Spain. 

Ilia Topuria's Early Life

Ilia Topuria was born in Germany. His parents were refugees from Abkhazia. When he was 7 years old, his family moved back to Georgia. They eventually settled in Spain when Topuria was 15. 

Topuria and his older brother Alexandre have trained together since they were kids in hopes of winning a Gold Medal in wrestling. The two brothers are the first Georgian fighters to receive a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Both brothers are professional MMA fighters under the UFC banner. 

Due to his unique geographical background, Ilia Topuria speaks five languages: Georgian, Russian, German, Spanish, and English.

His ability to connect with people worldwide has helped him build an international brand.

Ilia Topuria Net Worth 2024

Ilia Topuria has a net worth of 1 million. He became UFC champion at UFC 298 in February 2024, and his net worth will certainly increase in his upcoming fights, especially with fans eagerly awaiting his showdown against Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October. Topuria intends to be the highest-paid athlete of 2025.  

Personal

Ilia Topuria is in a relationship with Giorgina Uzcateugi Badeli, the Founder of Future and Energy, a company dedicated to find a sustainable solution. The couple have one son born in July of 2024. 

Career Highlights

Ilia Topuria's professional MMA career began in 2015 at 18, in the Mixed Fights promotion in Spain, where he became featherweight champion. He later appeared in Cage MMA and Cage Finland before signing with the Brave Combat Federation. 

Topuria made his UFC debut in 2020, winning by unanimous decision against Youssef Zalal. He went on to win five consecutive fights in the UFC by finish. 

He earned a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, but Topuria knocked Volkanovski out in round 2, becoming the first Georgian MMA UFC champion.

Ilia Topuria Partnerships and Endorsements

Ilia Topiria has endorsement deals with RYU Apparel, Black Hat, Bit2Me Oblack Caps, and Keoi Mobile. 

Record

Ilia Topuria is a perfect 15-0 in his MMA career. Topuria's elite boxing skills and Greco-Roman wrestling have given him a diverse skill set. Topuria allowed him to have five knockouts and eight submission victories for an outstanding thirteen finishes in fifteen fights. Topuria has won Performance of the Night three times in his career against Josh Emmet, Bryce Mitchell, and Alexander Volkanovski.

Philanthropy 

Ilia Topuria is a supporter of the Global Gift Foundation which was founded in 2013. The organization helps children and families who are vulnerable and or at risk of social exclusion. 

Following his victory at UFC 298, Topuria donated his earnings to fund the surgery of a child in his birth country of Georgia with the Monk Saint Andrews Foundation