Ilia Topuria has become one of the most electrifying names in mixed martial arts. Known for his relentless fighting style and undefeated record, Topuria’s journey from a small town in Germany to the very top of the UFC is nothing short of inspiring. Here’s a deep dive into the life, career, and achievements of Ilia Topuria, breaking down everything from his personal life to his fight purses and endorsements.
Ilia Topuria’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Ilia Topuria |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | January 21, 1997 |
| Age | 28 yeras |
| Place of Birth | Halle, Germany |
| Nationality | Georgian, Spanish |
| Religion | Christian |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| College | N/A |
| Turned Pro | 2015 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2.5 million – $3 million |
| Salary | $1,500,000 base for UFC 308, plus bonuses and PPV |
| Spouse/Partner | Giorgina Uzcategui Badell |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @iliatopuria |
Early Career
Ilia Topuria began his martial arts journey in Georgia, practicing Greco-Roman wrestling as a child. After relocating to Spain at 15, he joined Climent Club and quickly excelled in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning a black belt.
Topuria turned professional in 2015, winning his first four fights by submission and capturing the Mix Fight Events Featherweight title. His early dominance and finishing ability made him a rising star in the European MMA scene.
Professional Career
Topuria’s professional ascent accelerated after signing with the UFC in 2020. He debuted with a unanimous decision win over Youssef Zalal, then showcased his knockout power and submission skills in subsequent fights. Highlights include first-round finishes of Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, and Jai Herbert, plus a statement win over Bryce Mitchell via submission.
In 2023, he outclassed Josh Emmett in a five-round battle, earning a title shot. At UFC 298, Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to become the UFC Featherweight Champion—the first fighter from Georgia and Spain to claim UFC gold.
He defended his title against Max Holloway at UFC 308 with a third-round knockout before vacating the belt to move up to lightweight. As of 2025, Topuria remains undefeated at 16-0, with a reputation for finishing fights and an ever-growing fanbase.
Wife
Ilia Topuria is married to Giorgina Uzcategui Badell, a successful entrepreneur and influencer. The couple has two children: a son, Hugo, born in 2019, and a daughter, Giorgina, born in 2024. Topuria is known for keeping his family life relatively private, but he often expresses pride in his wife’s business achievements and his role as a father.
Ilia Topuria’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Ilia Topuria’s net worth is estimated to be between $2.5 million and $3 million, thanks to his UFC purses, performance bonuses, and endorsement deals.
Fight Purses
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Performance Bonus | Sponsorship | PPV/Other | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/26/2024 | Max Holloway | UFC 308 | Win | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $50,000 | $42,000 | $900,000 | $3,992,000 |
| 02/17/2024 | Alexander Volkanovski | UFC 298 | Win | $200,000 | $200,000 | $50,000 | $32,000 | $0 | $482,000 |
| 06/24/2023 | Josh Emmett | UFC on ABC | Win | $70,000 | $70,000 | $50,000 | $6,000 | $0 | $196,000 |
| 12/10/2022 | Bryce Mitchell | UFC 282 | Win | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $4,500 | $0 | $154,500 |
| 03/19/2022 | Jai Herbert | UFC Fight Night | Win | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $4,500 | $0 | $154,500 |
| 07/10/2021 | Ryan Hall | UFC 264 | Win | $24,000 | $24,000 | $0 | $4,000 | $0 | $52,000 |
| 12/05/2020 | Damon Jackson | UFC on ESPN | Win | $30,000 | $30,000 | $0 | $4,000 | $0 | $64,000 |
| 10/10/2020 | Youssef Zalal | UFC Fight Night | Win | $20,000 | $20,000 | $0 | $4,000 | $0 | $44,000 |
Endorsements
- Venum
- Oblack Caps
- Keio Mobile
- Webpositer
- Prozis
- Future Alkaline Water
- Sony
Career Records
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/26/2024 | Max Holloway | UFC 308 | Win | KO (Punches) | 3 |
| 02/17/2024 | Alexander Volkanovski | UFC 298 | Win | KO (Punches) | 2 |
| 06/24/2023 | Josh Emmett | UFC on ABC | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 |
| 12/10/2022 | Bryce Mitchell | UFC 282 | Win | Submission (Arm Triangle) | 2 |
| 03/19/2022 | Jai Herbert | UFC Fight Night | Win | KO (Punch) | 2 |
| 07/10/2021 | Ryan Hall | UFC 264 | Win | KO (Punches) | 1 |
| 12/05/2020 | Damon Jackson | UFC on ESPN | Win | KO (Punches) | 1 |
| 10/10/2020 | Youssef Zalal | UFC Fight Night | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 |
FAQs
1. Who is Ilia Topuria?
Ilia Topuria is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the UFC. He is a former UFC Featherweight Champion and the first Georgian fighter to win a UFC championship.
2. What is Ilia Topuria’s MMA record?
As of June 2025, Ilia Topuria has an undefeated professional MMA record of 16 wins and 0 losses, with 6 wins by knockout, 8 by submission, and 2 by decision.
3. How did Ilia Topuria become UFC Featherweight Champion?
Ilia Topuria won the UFC Featherweight Championship by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024.
4. Why did Ilia Topuria vacate the UFC Featherweight title?
Ilia Topuria vacated his UFC Featherweight title after defending it once against Max Holloway at UFC 308, choosing to move up to the lightweight division.
5. What is Ilia Topuria’s fighting style?
Ilia Topuria is known for blending high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with powerful, precise boxing. He uses a boxing-heavy approach inspired by Mexican boxing, especially Canelo Álvarez, and complements it with strong grappling skills.
6. Has Ilia Topuria fought in different weight classes?
Yes, Topuria has competed in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions. After vacating his featherweight title, he announced his move to lightweight and is scheduled to fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship.
7. What is Ilia Topuria’s background and nationality?
Ilia Topuria was born in Germany to Georgian parents, grew up in Georgia, and later moved to Spain. He holds dual citizenship in Georgia and Spain and speaks fluent Georgian and some Mingrelian.
8. What awards or honors has Ilia Topuria received?
Topuria has been awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia and has earned multiple “Performance of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” bonuses in the UFC.
9. Does Ilia Topuria have any family members in MMA?
Yes, his older brother, Aleksandre Topuria, is also a professional mixed martial artist and made his UFC debut in February 2025.
10. What is Ilia Topuria’s nickname and what does it mean?
Ilia Topuria is nicknamed “El Matador,” which reflects his aggressive and precise fighting style in the octagon.