YoLia Topuria He has made history in the world of MMA – and specifically in the UFC – in a very short period of time. At just 29 years old, the Hispanic-Georgian fighter has a record of 17-0, he is the first undefeated double champion in UFC history and has consecutively knocked out three legends such as Alexander Volkanovksi, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. Now he will face Justin Gaethje in the UFC White House on June 14 to try to defend his lightweight belt, and has recognized that to continue competing he will have to find new challenges Let them motivate you, since you have achieved everything you dreamed of.
One of the few remaining objectives for ‘El Matador’ will be achieved in a few months, when he puts his lightweight belt on the line against Gaethje in the biggest event in history of the UFC, being the main event. Each step that Ilia takes is bigger than the previous one, and there comes a point where there are not so many fighters who can provide him with extra greatness to a legacy that is already practically unmatched, as he recognized in his interview in MARCA.
I do not base my life on the material things that I am achieving, but on the moments that I am able to create.
Ilia Topuria, to MARCA
“From a sporting point of view, I feel that on a personal level I have pleased as all the wishes that I had to become world champion, to defend it, to go up and get another title, now inside the White House, which was something irrejectable…”, he acknowledged.
If he can continue to keep the bar this high, we will continue to see him compete. “Let’s see, I have to enter the White House and compete there. In the end, I do not base my life on the material things that I am achieving, but on the moments that I am capable of creatingthat tomorrow I will be able to tell it to my children, my grandchildren, my friends… live it with my friends and my closest people. Are unique experiences. “You can’t say no to those kinds of opportunities.”
Ilia Topuria after knocking out VolkanovskiChris Unger
New fronts opened beyond MMA
The career of an MMA fighter usually extends to the 35 or 36 yearsbut in the case of Topuria it seems difficult for it to happen, since there are not so many fights today that could attract attention. This Arman Tsarukyansome name in welterweight, and his great objective: Islam Makhachev. If ‘El Matador’ manages to beat Justin Gaethje, his dream plan would be to go up to welterweight to face the Dagestani to try to become the first triple champion of the history of the UFC.
If it’s any event against someone who doesn’t represent anything to me, then maybe I’m not going to compete.
Ilia Topuria, to MARCA
“If it’s any event against someone who doesn’t mean anything to me, then maybe don’t go to competebut if it is against someone who really motivates me, it is something that generates that desire and that hope in the public, well I push forward“, he acknowledged. Therefore, everything will depend on the names they put on the table, since today Ilia does not have the need to prove anything to anyone, least of all himself.
‘El Matador’ has already announced on some occasions that his intention was don’t extend your career too muchand even less so now that there are hardly any names that can stand up to him. He has other dreams like trying his luck in the boxing with some super combat, and above all focus on their multiple businesses, as is the case of WOW FCMMA promoter of which he is a partner. Therefore, we will have to enjoy Ilia with the unknown It entails not knowing if his next fight will be the last of his MMA career.
