Toss the Keys: Highlighting the Importance of Topuria with UFC 317 Only Two Weeks Out
June 13th, 2025, 10:02 PM ET
Written by Danny Varano
The 2025 UFC year has so far been defined by deflating losses for the promotion’s most recognizable names. In February, two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, suffered his third straight defeat, and his second consecutive by early stoppage. Adesanya, known to many as “The Last Stylebender,” has kept fans entertained over the last several years with his intoxicating swagger and unique striking capabilities. In 2024, Izzy’s heated rival, Alex “Poatan” Pereira, joined his fellow adversary at the pinnacle of UFC popularity. Pereira appeared to be indestructible last year, racking up three consecutive knockout victories over his light heavyweight challengers. Unfortunately for Pereira and the organization, at UFC 313 in March, the wind at Poatan’s back would cease after losing his title to Magomed Ankalaev. Extending the list of skidding fan-favorite fighters, last Saturday, Suga Sean O’Malley was defeated once again by Merab Dvalishvili in their rematch for the bantamweight title. Even prior to Saturday night, criticisms had circulated the UFC regarding a potential “star problem.” Such concerns from fans and pundits have intensified as many of the promotion’s mainstay fighters continue to lose their belts. Although Adesanya, Pereira, and O’Malley will certainly continue to attract eyeballs, the fanbase knows the concoction of UFC stardom is most potent when accompanied by world titles. However, there is one youthful champion and rising star to whom the UFC would be wise to lean into: Ilia “El Matador” Topuria. The featherweight champ is riding a tidal wave of momentum as, in just a couple of weeks, he moves up to lightweight in search of a second belt. Not only does Topuria represent a saving grace to silence the “star question,” but he also symbolizes the blueprint for the next generation of superstar fighters.
Since entering the UFC in 2020, Topuria has talked the metaphorical talk and walked the metaphorical walk of a superstar. The Spanish-Georgian fighter upholds a perfect 8-0 record in the promotion. Last year, he became the UFC featherweight champion and was crowned the 2024 Fighter of the Year alongside Alex Pereira. El Matador has finished six of his last seven contests, five of which came by knockout and one by submission. However, it is not simply his extensive tape of highlights, which include some of the most brutal KO’s the UFC has ever witnessed, that has garnered the attention of fans. Topuria is hyper-confident. He also seems to possess a mystical quality, which is likely drawn from his predecessor, Conor McGregor (occasionally referred to as “Mystic Mac”). Akin to McGregor, Topuria predicts riveting finishes prior to bouts, and his prophecies often manifest. In 2022, the folklore surrounding Topuria would further spread when the fanbase learned he drinks wine the night before weigh-ins. As established faces continue to slip, the UFC would be wise to play up El Matador’s allure. The blend of dominance within the octagon, and amusing antics outside of it, has positioned the featherweight champ to eclipse the stars that came before him.
In boosting his own stock, Topuria has partly facilitated the decline of older headliners. He confidently proclaims himself to represent “the new generation of mixed martial arts,” and his assertions are by no means far-fetched. In February 2024, at UFC 298, El Matador was granted his title opportunity against UFC legend and future hall-of-famer, Alexander Volkanovski. Prior to the contest, Volk had defended his featherweight championship six consecutive times. Yet, experience would not favor the elder Volkanovski. Topuria actualized his dream of attaining UFC gold with a second round knockout. To follow up his title win, the UFC matched Topuria with another UFC great and former featherweight king, Max Holloway. At UFC 308 in October, El Matador disposed of another bull, sleeping Holloway in round three of their bout. The compelling wins over two of the preceding generation’s most decorated fighters indicate that Topuria has fulfilled his claims of becoming the usher for the next era of UFC athletes. Yet, the duels with Volkanovski and Holloway will not mark the end of his battle against past idols turned current rivals.
On June 28th, at UFC 317, El Matador will move up to lightweight and attempt to achieve “double champ” status. His path to the second belt will go through former champion, Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira. Despite the parallels to the matchups with his featherweight predecessors, Topuria’s upcoming bout with Oliveira is perhaps a more extreme encapsulation of the clash between the old generation and the new. Aside from age, the key distinction between the new era of mixed martial artists and the prior breed of fighters is rooted in a diversity of skills. The UFC’s new tide of talent, which El Matador perfectly epitomizes, is adept in all facets of MMA. Although Topuria possesses flawless boxing technique and vicious knockout power, his fighting background is rooted in grappling, more specifically Greco-Roman wrestling and jiu-jitsu. As he has proven throughout his stint in the UFC, Topuria is well-versed both in stand-up combat and in the ground game. Contrarily, many of the dominant fighters predating El Matador were specialists who excelled in one particular aspect of fighting. Upcoming opponent, Charles Oliveira, is a true representation of such singular mastery. Much of Oliveira’s success in the UFC can be credited to his commanding jiu-jitsu. In fact, the former lightweight champion holds the record for the most finishes in UFC history, sixteen of which have come by submission.
For both fighters, the stakes at UFC 317 go beyond their individual legacies. A win over Topuria would prolong the pending departure of the previous generation and specialists like Oliveira. While a victory for Topuria would accelerate the takeover of the new era of well-rounded contenders. Additionally, if El Matador hoists a second belt, he would become just the tenth double champ in UFC history. The accomplishment would further Topuria’s rapidly growing stardom, and the UFC may get a second to exhale as the Spanish-Georgian phenom fills the empty space in the spotlight.