He’s an unbeaten warrior with a flawless record. Only his conquests take place not in a boxing ring but inside the octagon. So impressive are his achievements that many boxing champions might envy his track record. Over 40% of Ilia Topuria‘s victories have come by way of knockout. Since 2020, he has fought nine times, with only three bouts going the full distance. And since February 17 of last year, when he captured the UFC featherweight title, he’s been on a knockout spree. His most recent triumph was a first-round finish against Charles Oliveira. Unsurprisingly, many have lauded the Georgian-Spanish fighter’s boxing skills. So why not test those hands against a true boxer?
Back in 2017, Conor McGregor broke ground by stepping into the boxing world to face Floyd Mayweather in one of the most lucrative fights in history. If McGregor could pull it off, why not Topuria? While some may see it as wishful thinking, it seems the UFC’s new lightweight champion has been closely following the McGregor blueprint. Just seven weeks from now, one of this era’s biggest boxing showdowns will take place at Allegiant Stadium, where Canelo Alvarez will defend his undisputed title against Terence Crawford. So with the support of Turki Alalshikh, Topuria believes he could challenge the winner of that blockbuster bout.
“I would love to go to boxing. That’s something that I want to do,” said Topuria as he took Nelk Boys’ Kyle Forgeard for a car ride. He emphasized the importance of Alalshikh’s backing in making such a transition. He also pointed to boxing’s long-standing issue where top fighters often avoid one another. A trend that seems to be shifting, as evidenced by the highly anticipated Canelo vs. Crawford matchup.
RECORD DATE NOT STATED Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX vs Jermell Charlo USA – Weigh-in ceremony Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX during the weigh-in ceremony prior to the Boxing fight against Jermell Charlo USA, at the T-Mobile Arena Explanade on September 29, 2023. brbr Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX durante la ceremonia de pesaje previo a la pelea de Box contra Jermell Charlo USA, en la Explanada del Arena T-Mobile el 29 de septiembre de 2023. LAS VEGAS NEVADA ESTADOS UNIDOS PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxMEXxCHNxRUS Copyright: xDavidxLeahx 20230929183529_BOX_2023_ALV_CHA_WEIGH_ALVAREZ44.
Though Topuria hasn’t singled out a specific opponent, he made it clear he’s eyeing the victor of the upcoming September 3 showdown. “I would love to go against the winner of Canelo and Crawford,” he reiterated. The only hesitation? “I don’t want to have that rivalry with Canelo because he was my idol, and I have learned so many things from him.”
This crossover idea came up shortly after Topuria addressed speculation around a potential UFC bout against Islam Makhachev, possibly to be held at the White House UFC card. He also discussed the number of fights left on his current UFC contract. Still, he seemed unfazed by contractual obligations.
So Forgeard brought up a potential switch to boxing.
El Matador: Gloves beyond the cage
“But once you’re out of that contract, then, like, then you could do a boxing fight if you want to, right? You don’t even need their permission,” Forgeard stated. Topuria responded with confidence: “Even I still have fights in the UFC. You always can ask them to let you go to the boxing. But it seems like they did it with Connor. Why not with me?”
June 5, 2025, Madrid, Spain: Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC fighter, Ilia Topuria attends WOW 20 Madrid press conference at Teatro Amaya in Madrid. Madrid Spain – ZUMAs197 20250605_aaa_s197_022 Copyright: xAtilanoxGarciax
It’s a bold vision from a fighter who’s recently been making headlines with his fists.
Back in 2003, UFC allowed Chuck Liddell to compete in Japan’s PRIDE Championship. But it wasn’t until 2017, fourteen years later, that Dana White greenlit Conor McGregor’s high-profile bout against Floyd Mayweather. With the launch of Zuffa Boxing, a joint effort between TKO Holdings and Riyadh Season, another crossover megafight feels inevitable.
What do you think? Given his talent, discipline, and rising stardom, could Ilia Topuria make a major impact in the boxing world?
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