Blood-soaked canvas and thunderous knockouts! This is the Ilia Topuria that casual fans know. But beneath the crimson-stained surface of combat lies an intellect that recently stunned the MMA world into reverent silence. We are, of course, talking about the former featherweight champion’s recent record-breaking appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Listeners expected the familiar battle cries of ‘La Leyenda’, but instead, they witnessed a metamorphosis! The cocoon of bravado split open to reveal a mind as nimble as his legendary counterpunches.
The former 145lbs kingpin was remarkably intelligent, articulate, and at times, even philosophical on episode #166 of the JRE MMA show. The episode was very well received and did massive numbers. This was the central fact for UFC commentator and former champion Daniel Cormier to prove that the Spanish-Georgian has overtaken the likes of Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya in popularity.
“And you know what’s crazy about Ilia Topuria, I saw a graphic the other day, I don’t know who made it… But as I’m scrolling Instagram, it goes last four interviews on Rogan, right, Khalil Rountree did like 700 grand, Izzy, Alex Pereira, they did over a million,” ‘DC’ told co-host Chael Sonnen on their ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy Show’ on ESPN MMA.
“Topuria had done a million and a half to two million in two days. In two days, Chael. So all we talk about in regards to Topuria, how he’s a star, how people are drawn to him, that right there proved to me that it’s true. Topuria did 2 million Chael in two days on Rogan,” he added.
Premiere of the documentary Topuria Matador in Madrid Fighter Ilia Topuria poses at the photocall of the premiere of the documentary Topuria Matador, at the Callao Cinemas, September 18, 2024, in Madrid Spain Topuria Matador is the story of Ilias personal overcoming, from his native Georgia at war and his arrival in Spain, to catapult as the UFC world champion, wrapped by his wife, family, friends and training partners 18 SEPTEMBER 2024 TOPURIA PREMIERE PREMIERE DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE Madrid Madrid Madrid Spain PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxESP Copyright: xRicardoxRubiox 6220918
Indeed, as of April 22, the Ilia Topuria episode has done 2.73 million views. Pereira has never been on JRE, and ‘DC’ seems to be mixing up ‘Poatan’ with Jiri Prochazka, who was the guest on episode #165 of the JRE MMA Show. That episode has done a respectable 1.4 million views, but it has done so in two months.
Adesanya’s appearance on episode #164 of the JRE MMA Show was even less well received, and has done only 1.4 million views in six months! But doing numbers on podcasts is the last thing Topuria would be concerned with at this time. After all, the charismatic Georgia native is trying to become a double champ! By hook or by crook.
Ilia Topuria promises he will play hardball if UFC doesn’t give him Islam Makhachev next
Ilia Topuria is in no-man’s land at the moment. The Spanish-Georgian superstar vacated his featherweight title earlier this year and has moved up to lightweight for good since he doesn’t want to punish himself and cut to 145lbs anymore. Of course, he was hoping that he would get to fight lightweight champ Islam Makhachev next, but that isn’t happening.
The Dagestani and his camp have made it clear that they want no truck with ‘La Leyenda’ until he proves himself at lightweight by beating a top-ranked contender first. However, in a concerning turn of events, ‘La Leyenda’ told Rogan that he would sit out as long as it takes for Makhachev to agree to fight him.
“I would like to fight with Islam. I wouldn’t fight for a No. 1 contender fight. I don’t care if Islam decides that he doesn’t want to fight me. You say you are a world champion, keep dominating the division, all that. I’m here. You can’t keep avoiding me all the time. I got a promise [from the UFC] that I would fight for the title in my next fight. So, how much time will you stop me from fighting? I proved that I deserve the chance,” Topuria told Rogan.
What do you think about Daniel Cormier’s thoughts about Ilia Topuria’s appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast?
The post Daniel Cormier Forced to Make an Admission on Ilia Topuria After Joe Rogan Podcast Episode Blows Up appeared first on EssentiallySports.
