Ilia Topuria has quickly risen to prominence as one of the UFC’s most formidable fighters, showcasing incredible striking power and precision. At UFC 317 last weekend, Topuria secured a knockout victory over former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, extending his undefeated record to 17-0 and cementing his reputation as one of the UFC’s hardest hitters. This victory marked his third consecutive knockout and added to his rare accomplishments in the featherweight division, where he became the first to finish fighters like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway by knockout.
Topuria’s dominance in the octagon has drawn significant attention, but some former opponents highlight that there are fighters who pack an even heavier punch than the UFC Lightweight Champion.
Josh Emmett Credits Dan Ige with Harder Punching Power Than Ilia Topuria
Josh Emmett, a respected featherweight known for his durability and resilience against Topuria, recently shared his perspective on striking power in the division. Although Emmett endured a one-sided loss to Topuria in their 2023 five-round bout, he praised Topuria’s footwork, speed, and accuracy, noting these qualities amplify his power without the need to fully load every punch.
Despite acknowledging Topuria’s skill, Emmett revealed he had been hit harder in other fights, specifically naming Dan Ige as a fighter whose punches impacted him more forcefully. Emmett pointed to his experience knocking Ige down at UFC 269, but admitted that Ige’s power had left a greater impression on him than Topuria’s striking.
“But the thing with Ilia is his footwork is good,”
Emmett explained.
“He’s always in a really good position. He’s fast, and he’s very precise and accurate. And so he’s not loading up a 100%. He’s landing [with] the accuracy and precision, with the speed, and that’s where the power is.”
“On the regional scene when I fought, Christos Giagos as a lightweight. He hit really hard. Dan Ige can crack too. Ige hits really hard too. Like, damn, that was a hard punch,”
Emmett said.
“I’ll say Dan Ige,” he added, naming Ige as the hardest hitter he has faced.
Topuria Acknowledges Emmett’s Tenacity in Their Tough 2023 Encounter
The 2023 bout between Ilia Topuria and Josh Emmett was a significant moment in Topuria’s career, as Emmett became the only fighter to bring him past three rounds in the UFC. Held at UFC Jacksonville on June 24, Emmett’s endurance was put to the test as Topuria attempted to finish the fight in multiple rounds.
Despite suffering heavy damage and narrowly escaping a fourth-round stoppage by the bell, Emmett chose to continue and pressed forward into the fifth round, demonstrating remarkable determination.
“I would expect him to knock him out in the first round, but the guy is really, really tough,”
Topuria said about Emmett immediately after their fight.
“I wanna say thank you to Josh to bring so much energy inside the cage.”
Topuria earned a rare 50-42 decision win, with one judge scoring some rounds as decisively as 10-7 and 10-8, reflecting Topuria’s overwhelming dominance during the clash.
The Implications for UFC’s Featherweight Division and Ilia Topuria’s Future
Ilia Topuria’s collection of knockout victories and unbeaten streak places him among the top contenders in the UFC featherweight division. His combination of tactical footwork, speed, and precise striking makes him a unique challenge for future opponents.
Josh Emmett’s comments about Dan Ige’s power highlight the depth of talent and punching power in the division, hinting at intense future battles ahead. While Topuria continues to build his legacy, the resilience and explosive power of other fighters like Emmett and Ige ensure that the featherweight landscape remains highly competitive and unpredictable.
As Topuria advances, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see who can match or surpass his blend of technical skill and finishing ability in the UFC cage.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a professional fighter from Georgia and Spain. He competes in the Lightweight class of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and holds the title of UFC Lightweight Champion.