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SportsCasting
Paul Kelly

Ilia Topuria's Next Fight: Who Is 'El Matador' Fighting Next In UFC?

After securing back-to-back knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria’s next fight is yet to be confirmed. Read on to find out when Topuria’s next fight is and what his options are moving forward in the UFC.

Ilia Topuria Next Fight: Who Is The UFC Featherweight Champion Fighting Next?

Despite being just 27-years-old and only having had eight UFC fights to date, Ilia Topuria is already one of the biggest stars in all of professional MMA. Not to mention the fact ‘El Matador’ is the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion.

The Ilia Topuria record is currently an unblemished 16-0. This consists of six knockout victories, eight submissions and two wins via decision. The Spanish-Georgian MMA phenom has won each of his eight UFC fights to date, six of which have come inside the distance.

UFC fans last saw Ilia Topuria in action at UFC 308 in the first defence of his UFC Featherweight Title. After handing Alexander Volkanovski the first defeat of his career at 145-pounds when he became champion, he dismantled Max Holloway in his first defence, becoming the first man ever to defeat Holloway via knockout. Quite remarkable.

UFC President Dana White quite evidently has a superstar on his hands, alongside other up-and-coming names such as Khamzat Chimaev, Paddy Pimblett and Tom Aspinall to name but a few.

In regards to Ilia Topuria’s next fight, it looks like ‘EL Matador’ could leave the featherweight division behind and move up to lightweight already. After beating the two best 145-pounders back-to-back, Topuria could argue there is nothing left for him to achieve at featherweight, hence the rumoured move up to 155-pounds.

There is a genuine argument already that Ilia Topuria could well be unbeatable at 145-pounds. He evidently wants to challenge and test himself, and he will certainly do that in a red-hot 155-pound division.

No matter who he fights next, the best UK betting sites will list ‘El Matador’ as a resounding favourite. Rightly so, he has proved he is the best in the world with two quite outstanding performances against Volkanovski and Holloway back-to-back.


RELATED: Ilia Topuria Net Worth, Career Earnings & Endorsements


Could Ilia Topuria’s Next Fight Be Against Conor McGregor?

Now that Ilia Topuria has come through the Max Holloway fight unscathed at UFC 308, he could well be in line for a mega-fight next. The 27-year-old could be in line for a multi-million dollar payday next against some of the biggest names in the sport of MMA.

Who that is against remains to be seen. Several different fights make total sense for ‘El Matador’, including the Volkanovski rematch or a potential fight with former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley if he is to move up to 145-pounds. Another contest that has been rumoured for Topuria’s next fight is against Conor McGregor.

No matter what he does next, the Spanish-Georgian will be paid extremely well. In extraordinarily quick time, he has become one of the biggest names on the entire UFC roster. It looks increasingly likely that Topuria will move up to lightweight, which in turn would see an opportunity for some mega-fights.

Fights with the likes of Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje all make sense up at 155-pounds. Do not be surprised also to see Ilia Topuria earn a UFC Lightweight Title shot very shortly, with a potential clash with Islam Makhachev a genuine possibility before the end of 2025.

The best UFC betting sites in the UK would likely favour Topuria to defeat all of these names, bar Makhachev potentially, particularly given how impressive he looked at UFC 308 last time out. Time will tell what happens next for ‘El Matador’, but it’s sure to be something huge as the dominant force at 145-pounds.

Be sure to claim the various combat sports betting offers and free bet deals available on the SportsCasting site ahead of Ilia Topuria’s next fight.

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