Ilia Topuria’s meteoric rise through the UFC ranks has been nothing short of spectacular. A rare blend of technical brilliance, unshakable composure, and fight-ending power, the undefeated Spanish-Georgian has bulldozed through elite competition en route to the top of the featherweight division. Now, with the featherweight crown firmly around his waist, Topuria is aiming for double-champ status as he steps up to challenge Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317. As anticipation builds for what could be a career-defining moment, we look back at the three biggest performances that brought “El Matador” to the brink of UFC greatness.

1. Masterclass vs. Josh Emmett – UFC on ABC 5

At UFC on ABC 5 in Jacksonville, Ilia Topuria delivered a career-defining performance against Josh Emmett, earning a dominant unanimous decision and making a serious case for title contention. From the opening round, Topuria showcased exceptional striking, composure, and accuracy—consistently countering Emmett’s aggressive bursts with sharp jabs, stinging leg kicks, and precise right hands.

As the fight wore on, Topuria’s relentless pressure and technical superiority became overwhelming. In Round 4, he dropped Emmett multiple times and came close to finishing the bout with ground-and-pound and suffocating top control. Despite Emmett’s grit and a spirited final round, Topuria’s takedowns and control sealed the deal. Judges scored it decisively in his favor (50-44, 50-42, 49-45), extending his unbeaten record to 14-0 (6-0 UFC) and marking his most dominant performance to date. The win catapulted him into the featherweight title conversation.

2. Shocking the World – UFC 298: Topuria vs. Volkanovski

At UFC 298, Ilia Topuria made history by dethroning longtime featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in spectacular fashion. From the start, Topuria applied steady forward pressure, while Volkanovski tried to control the pace with leg kicks and a sharp jab. The first round was competitive, but Topuria’s power and poise began to shine through.

In Round 2, the tide shifted dramatically. After steadily breaking down Volkanovski with body shots and hooks, Topuria uncorked a devastating right hand that floored the champion at 3:32 of the round, sealing the knockout and capturing the featherweight crown. The victory improved Topuria’s record to 15-0 and ended Volkanovski’s dominant reign. Post-fight, Topuria made headlines by calling out Conor McGregor, signaling his arrival as a true superstar in the sport.

3. Making History – UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway

Topuria’s first title defense came against one of the division’s most durable icons—Max Holloway—at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. The Spanish-Georgian phenom rose to the occasion, becoming the first man to stop Holloway via strikes. From the outset, Topuria controlled the pace with powerful leg kicks, crisp right hands, and forward pressure that kept Holloway on the back foot.

Holloway showed flashes of his trademark volume striking and footwork, but Topuria’s power and grappling presence gave him a clear edge. In the third round, Topuria landed a crushing right hand that rocked Holloway, followed by a ferocious combination that dropped him at 1:34—securing a monumental knockout win.

With the win, Topuria improved to 16-0 (8-0 UFC), defended his featherweight title in dominant fashion, and silenced any doubts about his championship mettle. After the fight, he hinted at a potential rematch with Volkanovski, leaving fans eager to see what’s next.