That life takes many turns is more a reality than a hackneyed phrase. There is no facet that escapes this saying, because to live, in the end, is to evolve. And that is what has happened to Ilia Topuria during her professional career. There was a time when the UFC featherweight champion the doors were closed of the largest mixed martial arts company, even if only temporarily.
It was five years ago, when Topuria boasted a 6-0 professional record and had just fought in Cage Warriors. The Spanish-Georgian fighter already demonstrated with great international performances that his level was out of the ordinary. But he could not break down the barrier of the UFC, something that caused him great frustration, aware that he had a level to be fighting where the best did.
In an interview with Gonzalo Campos, on the Generación MMA podcast, Topuria acknowledged that he was “disappointed by the issue of the UFC.” «More than anyone, I hope to get to the UFC and demonstrate the level I have, that’s why it makes me very angry many times. I don’t know, it makes me very angry, but my moment will surely come and I’m going to prove it.», he stated.
“I could fight for the UFC title in a month”
Topuria, who always trusted his abilities, was sometimes called arrogant for making statements that, at that time, were far from happening. But he didn’t care. “I’m going to back up everything I say, because I’m not just saying it, everyone who knows me knows that what I say is true,” he said.
«I may lose later, we can all lose, but I say it from the depths of my heart, I think I could fight within a month for the UFC belt. I say it because I think it, I don’t say it to show my confidence to anyone. “I will not rest until I achieve it,” he concluded in the aforementioned interview.
Five years later, Topuria is not only a UFC champion, but has also recently successfully defended his title against one of the company’s greatest legends, sitting at the same table where the greatest eat. Furthermore, after his latest triumph, he is already considered by everyone to be an MMA superstar.
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