Ilia Topuria, the Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist, who represents Georgia in the UFC, defeated his Australian rival and former champion Alexander Volkanovski on Sunday, becoming the first Georgian to claim the UFC World Champion title.
HE IS KING ????@TOPURIAILIA IS YOUR NEW FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD ???????????? ???????? #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/eKRjZsP7yI
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024
The 27-year-old Georgian, who is also called ‘El Matador’, knocked Volkanovski out in the second round of the fight, held at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, the United States.
A happy CHAMP ????@TopuriaIlia | #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/ZjmJAM0QpO
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024
Topuria remains undefeated in MMA, he has won a record of 15:0 wins and is ranked third in the featherweight division.
UNDEFEATED. UNDISPUTED.@TopuriaIlia is your NEW featherweight world champ ????????????????????
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024
[ B2YB Lights Out presented by @QuiverDistrib | #UFC298 ] pic.twitter.com/baZwauY5ms
I want to thank my little Georgia for its support. I can't wait to come [back to Georgia] and celebrate this victory together", Topuria said after the fight, in his address to the fans in Georgian.
In the last 14 games, El Matador has won four by knockout, eight by submission and two by the decision of the judges.