Ilya Topria’s MMA profession could also be shorter than many count on. Topria has shortly turn into some of the recognizable figures within the martial arts world attributable to his dominant run throughout the UFC.
“El Matador” received the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024, and made historical past in October of the identical 12 months by turning into the primary fighter to knock out Max Holloway and efficiently defending his title at UFC 308.
Topria then vacated the 145-pound title and moved up the burden class, solidifying his standing as a two-division champion with a first-round knockout of former light-weight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June of this 12 months.
Final month, the 28-year-old Georgian-Spanish introduced he was stepping away from lively competitors to take care of private points. Nevertheless, at any time when his hiatus ends, the remaining size of Topria’s MMA profession will stay an open query.
Ilya Topria hints that his time in MMA is working out
In a current interview with Marca, Ilya Topria opened up about her long-term plans in martial arts, admitting that she doesn’t intend to remain in MMA for lengthy and can finally transition to boxing completely.
The present UFC light-weight champion has made it clear that he has little interest in concentrating on two disciplines, explaining that he intends to struggle in MMA for a short while longer earlier than totally dedicating himself to a full transition and sq. circle coaching.
“It is no secret that I’ve all the time needed to attempt boxing,” Ilya Topria stated. “However what I’ve all the time utilized to my life is that when you attempt to catch two rabbits, you find yourself catching neither. So I wish to end my story first with combined martial arts, combined martial arts. As soon as that is carried out, I wish to transition totally into boxing. I can not put together for a combined martial arts match after which depart and are available again making ready for a boxing match…I do not suppose that is very skilled, proper?
“As a result of boxing requires a very completely different strategy and requires very, very completely different coaching that it’s a must to adapt to. Clearly the timing is completely different and, effectively, it is not even the Octagon. It is the ring and it’s a must to adapt to it. And like every part in life, it should take time. So now that I am carried out with combined martial arts, which I do not suppose can be that lengthy, to be sincere, I will transfer on to boxing. And I will be extra shocked than some folks. ”
“El Matador” is undefeated at 17-0 in his MMA profession, together with an ideal 9-0 within the UFC, with a dominant resume that includes seven knockout wins and eight submission finishes.
