Ilia Topuria, who debuted professionally as an unbeaten fighter on April 2020 in mixed martial arts (MMA), boasts an enviable record in which over 40% of his victories come via knockout; since starting his professional journey only three of nine fights went beyond three rounds – his crowning achievement coming when he secured UFC featherweight title on February 17 last year and has continued with aggressive pursuit of knockout victories, notching yet another first round knockout over Charles Oliveira this past January! His boxing talent has gained considerable notice among many viewers; many speculate about his chances should MMA were ever put solely onto boxing; many speculate about what type of skills would work against each opponent when pitted solely versus pure boxing match.
Conor McGregor established an intriguing precedent with his groundbreaking move against Floyd Mayweather at UFC 229. Inspired by this landmark matchup, Topuria hopes to follow McGregor into Floyd Mayweather’s boxing world at Allegiant Stadium with Turki Alalshikh as an adviser and challenge the victor in an historic crossover bout that could change combat sports forever.
In discussions about this potential shift, Topuria shared his admiration for boxing and its recent trend of pitting top competitors against each other, a move away from the sport’s notorious history of avoiding high-stakes matchups. Despite his idolization of Canelo Alvarez, Topuria remains open to facing any challenge that comes his way, emphasizing his readiness and enthusiasm for a match against either Alvarez or Crawford.
Speculation around Topuria’s future has been rife, noting his remaining UFC contract fights and the possibility of a bout against Islam Makhachev. Yet, the fighter appears unfazed by contractual binds, hinting at a willingness to negotiate a move to boxing while still under UFC contract, much like McGregor’s precedent.
El Matador: Eyeing a New Arena
The discussion around Topuria’s potential switch to boxing underscores a broader conversation about the fluid identity of modern fighters and the increasing crossover between MMA and boxing. With a confident stance on making the transition, even while still active in the UFC, Topuria expresses a bold readiness to test his mettle in the boxing ring.
Fighting across disciplines has long been a trend within UFC, as evidenced by notable instances like Chuck Liddell competing in Japan and Conor McGregor facing Floyd Mayweather in boxing matches. Now with Zuffa Boxing entering the picture, future crossover fights seem more probable.
As Topuria continues to demonstrate his undeniable talent and rise to fame, his impact in boxing could become increasingly tangible. As combat sports continue to blur lines between themselves, Topuria may reimagine what it means to be a fighter today.