Topuria just pulled off another knockout, overtaking UFC star on Instagram charts

What Ilia Topuria is doing right now feels almost otherworldly. The Spanish-Georgian fighter has become a true mass phenomenon – and it shows on social media. In a matter of days, his Instagram following has surged by more than 3 million, pushing him past the 10.5 million mark and counting. That leap places Topuria fourth on the UFC’s list of most-followed fighters on Instagram, ahead of Islam Makhachev.

“El Matador” brutally knocked out Charles Oliveira to become a double UFC champion, a feat that’s earned him praise across the board.

Who is ahead of Topuria on Instagram?

Topuria already had a solid fan base thanks to his knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, but more and more supporters are joining his ranks by the day. Despite being booed during promotional events for UFC 317 at International Fight Week, he won over the crowd after his devastating finish of Oliveira secured him the lightweight title – and with it, double-champion status.

Since that win, his Instagram account has been flooded with new followers – more than 3 million so far. With this new milestone, he’s edged ahead of Makhachev, who currently has 10.4 million. It’s an off-cage win for Topuria over the Russian, and it’s unlikely to be the last. Not only has he joined the UFC’s exclusive club of double champions – becoming the tenth fighter to do so – he’s also entered the elite ranks of the promotion’s social media giants.

Third on the list is Ronda Rousey, the only woman in the top five and one of the pioneers of women’s MMA, with 17.1 million followers. Above her, things get even more stratospheric. Khabib Nurmagomedov sits at 39.7 million, and – no surprises – Conor McGregor remains untouchable at the top with 46.5 million followers. Absolute madness.

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