UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria explained why he’s feeling “extremely dangerous” ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC Freedom 250.
After nearly a year out of the cage, Topuria makes his comeback in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 when he takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje in a UFC lightweight title unification bout. The fight takes place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., and it is expected to be one of the most-watched MMA events of all time.
Ahead of his comeback, Topuria spoke to Jorge Ebro, and explained why he’s feeling extra dangerous ahead of his return. According to the champ, he is doing well financially right now, and not fighting just for money has made him the best version of himself that he can be.
“For the first time in my life, I’m going to step into the octagon where my life doesn’t depend on what happens in there.
Thank God for giving me the stability where neither I nor my children will
“For the first time in my life, I’m going to step into the octagon where my life doesn’t depend on what happens in there. Thank God for giving me the stability where neither I nor my children will ever lack anything… So now you’re going to see a different Ilia. You’re going to see El Matador, not at 100% but at 200%, someone who truly enjoys the art. If I was dangerous before, now I’m extremely dangerous,” Topuria said.
Ilia Topuria is Already an All-Time UFC Great
Ever since Topuria first stepped into the Octagon in 2020, you knew he was something special. The 29-year-old Georgian-Spanish fighter won his first six fights in the featherweight division before getting a chance to fight UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Topuria knocked out Volkanovski to take the belt, and then he beat Max Holloway by knockout at UFC 308 to defend his title. After that, he vacated his featherweight belt and moved up to lightweight, defeating Charles Oliveira by knockout at UFC 317 to win his second UFC title.
Overall, Topuria is a perfect 17-0 in his MMA career since he began it in 2015. He has proven during his UFC run that he is among the best fighters in the sport, and right now, he is ranked the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC rankings, just one spot behind fellow great Islam Makhachev, who could potentially be a future opponent if both men keep winning their fights.
Ilia Topuria is in a Great Headspace
After he beat Oliveira, Topuria was expected to fight Paddy Pimblett, with a rumored title fight at UFC 324. However, Topuria announced that he was taking time off to figure things out with his ex-wife, Giorgina, as far as their divorce and child custody agreement went. Thankfully, Topuria was able to settle things with his ex and thus was able to return to training in a great headspace. After all, MMA fighters are humans, and when their personal lives are in disarray, it can affect their performances inside the cage.
Therefore, Topuria did the responsible thing by taking time off to work on his personal issues. Not that they are settled, he seems to be mentally and physically ready to go, and his fight against Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 is undoubtedly going to be one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year.
Ilia Topuria Explains Why He’s Feeling “Extremely Dangerous” Before UFC Return