Ilia Topuria has added another major achievement to the ever-expanding list of honors his martial arts career has earned. Unbeaten in his 15-fight professional MMA career, Topuria logs a maiden title defense at the UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) next. It happens in October at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of this, the fighter has made the Forbes España’s ’30 Under 30′ list.
The UFC 145-pound champion won his strap, knocking out the great Alexander Volkanovski in February. The Spaniard has had immeasurable fame and fandom since his win and tilted the focus to his country. Topuria had told Forbes that he made within a disclosed bracket of $350,000 for his win over Volk at UFC 298. ‘El Matador’ has plans to be the world’s highest-paid athlete by the end of 2025.
The UFC champion’s goal is a lofty one that he will be hard-pressed to achieve. The only UFC competitor on the list of the 10 highest-paid sportsmen was former champ Conor McGregor. McGregor made the list in 2021. However, the Alicante-Georgian fighter has already worked up his way with enough hooks and baits to be in the conversation.
¡DESVELAMOS NUESTRO PRIMER PROTAGONISTA Y PORTADA DEL FORBES ’30 UNDER 30’!
Conocido como ‘El Matador’ @Topuriailia (27), se ha coronado obteniendo el cinturón de campeón del mundo en peso pluma de la UFC. Pero su éxito no queda dentro del ring, el próximo 19 de septiembre… pic.twitter.com/vXVSfLd7HW— Forbes_es (@Forbes_es) August 28, 2024
Ilia Topuria, 27, meets consensus hard-chin best boxer Max Holloway next. Based on just a title win, he already sees prime comparison to McGregor, Sean O’Malley, and other such MMA stars. In the short time since his Anaheim appearance, Topuria has become a massive draw. If he can defend against Holloway’s bid for gold, he is here to stay. As such, the matter has gone quite viral.
Fans react to Ilia Topuria making Forbes ’30 Under 30′ list
Ilia Topuria is set to take on former featherweight kingpin and current 155-pound BMF titleholder Holloway at UFC 308. But ahead of his first defense of the belt, Forbes Spain announced the Spaniard’s inclusion on the magazine’s annual “30 Under 30” list. The German-born Topuria may not be a household name Stateside. However, he is high-profile in Spain, where he moved after leaving Georgia at 15.
Ilia Topuria poised to become one of UFC’s biggest stars (Source: X/agfight.com)Now, here’s what fans think of the addition of him to the list.
Bro is a superstar in Spain
— Dana Fairydust White (@danafairydust) August 28, 2024
wtf, no way he has that level money yet. He just became champion unless there’s something else about him
— RJ (@541klj9) August 28, 2024
Anyone who can challenge ‘Blessed’ for a BMF call or knockout Volk and compete with McGregor with his own rival MMA promotion is already a top bill. In February, Topuria met with the President of Spain, did the honorary kick-off at the Real Madrid vs. Sevilla game, and was a top guest on national tele. The featherweight champ and his corner are also extremely confident he can sell out Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Gracing the “30 Under 30” list is only a testament to his fame. Some fans are dazzled that he is at this level, even without a title defense. However, most others have anonymously lauded the fighter. As such, this is just another reason why Ilia Topuria will remain a hot topic before UFC 308.
