Who is Ilia Topuria? Emmet’s rival in the UFC fight: Career record, stats, and KOs

Ilia Topuria seems ready for one of the biggest challenges of his young career. The Spanish-Georgian fighter will face the very experienced Josh Emmet in a five-rounder that will be UFC Fight Night’s main event on Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida.

The fight has all the ingredients to be one of the best at 145 lbs, as both men’s fighting styles are about aggression and intensity and they will be looking for a win that will lead them to a title shot.

Topuria, ranked ninth in the featherweight division, will enter the octagon as an undefeated fighter (13-0, 4 KOs) and will hope to get his hand raised once again after facing Emmet.

Considered one of the most talented fighters in the whole UFC roster, the first Georgian to become a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has promised to become the division king soon, and as he did in his last fight against Bryce Mitchell, he promises to defeat Emmet before the final bell.

El Matador trains and lives in Alicante, Spain, where he studies his potential opponents with his team and his brother, Alexandre Topuria, also an MMA fighter who could sign for the UFC.

Unstoppable in the UFC

Topuria started his career in the biggest MMA promotion in the world with a decision win over Youssef Zalal, and won his next three consecutive bouts by KO, proving to everyone he has the power to finish the fight at any given moment.

Against Jai Herbert in London, he was rocked by a kick that would have probably knocked out anyone, but Topuria showed heart and determination to keep fighting and finish his opponent by knockout. After that win, the young fighter said the easiest way out would have been to give up, but his will to win and confidence carried him to victory.

Bryce Mitchell was meant to be Ilia’s most difficult challenge after that, as the American was undefeated with a record of 15 wins and no losses, and was known for his relentless fighting style and durability, besides a good ground game. That wasn’t enough to stop Topuria, who ended up being better than Mitchell in their standup fight and when they decided to grapple.

Topuria, who won the Performance of the Night bonus twice against Mitchell and Herbert, will be looking to add another award to his career by combining it with his 14th win as a professional mixed martial artist on Saturday.