Daniel Cormier thinks the stage is set for an Ilia Topuria takeover in the UFC this year.
Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) had an unforgettable 2024 in knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title in February before knocking out Max Holloway in his first defense in October. The body of work earned “El Matador” recognition as MMA Junkie’s 2024 Male Fighter of the Year.
Although Cormier didn’t view UFC 298 and UFC 308, both of which were headlined by Topuria, as the marquee selling events of the year, he said those experiences laid the foundation for Topuria to become one of the UFC’s marquee stars as 2025 begins.
