Summary
Ilia Topuria is undefeated in MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @iliatopuria
Currently taking a break from his career to deal with personal issues, Ilia Topuria He may be close to leaving the octagon once and for all. According to the current UFC lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg), the end of his career as an MMA fighter may be near. He spoke about the subject this Sunday (14) in an interview with the newspaper 'Marca', one of the main media outlets in Europe.
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Although he didn't specify exact timeframes, the fighter said he doesn't believe he has much left to do in the sport for much longer. Undefeated in 17 professional fights, 15 of which were stoppages, Ilia is only 28 years old and has never defended a UFC title.
“I don’t think I’ll stay in MMA for very long. In active sports, I will… now, what’s left for me in Mixed Martial Arts, well, I don’t know, the truth is… it depends, it depends on many things, it depends on how circumstances develop. But, well, we will always try to stay active,” he stated.
Ilia Topuria plans to transition to boxing after he retires, says he doesn't have much time left in MMA:
“I don't think I'll stay too much in MMA”
“In active sport, I have… now, what I have left in mixed martial arts, well I don't know, the truth, it's like… it depends,… pic.twitter.com/rFBzx3C6L9
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 14, 2025
Topuria in boxing?
When considering a future beyond MMA, the Georgian/Spanish fighter was candid in admitting his desire to compete in boxing. Despite his Greco-Roman wrestling background, the champion has distinguished himself in the UFC through his striking skills. He comes off knockout victories against... Alexander Volkanovsky, Max Holloway e Charles of the Bronx.
“It’s no secret that I’ve always wanted to test my boxing skills, but I think something I’ve always applied in my life is that if you try to hunt two birds with one stone, you end up hunting none… so I want to finish my MMA career first, and only then complete my transition to boxing, because I can’t be preparing for an MMA fight, then go out, prepare for a boxing match and come back… I don’t think that would be very professional either, right? Boxing requires a completely different approach, very different training that I have to adapt to. Obviously, it’s a different timeline and, let’s face it, it’s not even an octagon, it’s a ring, and I would have to adapt to that, which takes time, like everything in life,” he concluded.
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