UFC 317: Ilia Topuria says Paddy Pimblett one fight from title shot

Topuria, 28, has won the first 16 fights of his career and had a remarkable 2024, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to win the featherweight title last February.

Victory meant Topuria, who holds Georgian citizenship, became Spain’s first UFC champion, before he was granted Spanish citizenship by President Pedro Sanchez.

Topuria knocked out another former champion in Max Holloway in October, before vacating the belt in April to move up to lightweight.

Despite his success at featherweight, Topuria says the decision to move up was based on the toll the division was having on his physical health.

“I really belong to this this weight class. I had to almost kill myself to make the 145lb (10st 3lb) division,” said Topuria.

“I feel much comfortable. I feel even more powerful in this weight division.

“And this is actually the first time I have been able to enjoy the whole process like the training – even the weight cut – because it’s much much easier.

“From one to 10, at featherweight when I was fighting at this point I was feeling at five. And now I feel at nine.”