The debate over Ilia Topuria’s status as a UFC champion compared to Conor McGregor has recently drawn attention from a former UFC fighter. Although both fighters have achieved major milestones at similar ages, a closer look reveals key differences that separate Topuria’s accomplishments from McGregor’s. This discussion is central to the ongoing Ilia Topuria UFC champion debate.
Topuria earned two UFC titles by winning the vacant lightweight championship at UFC 317, defeating Charles Oliveira at 28 years and four months old. McGregor also secured his second belt at roughly the same age, sparking comparisons between their careers.
Why Topuria Is Not Yet Considered a Double Champion
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen weighed in on the controversy through a video posted on his YouTube channel. Sonnen clarified that while Topuria’s feat is impressive, the Georgian-Spaniard has not yet reached the double champion milestone.
According to Sonnen, McGregor made history at UFC 205 in 2016 by becoming the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold two titles when he defeated then-lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. In contrast, Topuria’s titles were not held at the same time.
“I saw these comparisons. ESPN MMA put them up…I think [McGregor and Topuria] were both 28 years old…the comparisons are uncanny. Not to mention same weight classes, but one was a double champ and one was a two-time champ…There there’s something about that I must tell you really bothers me because it’s wrong. [Topuria] is not a double champion. He’s a two-time champion.” —Chael Sonnen, UFC Hall of Famer
Topuria’s Potential to Surpass McGregor
Despite this distinction, Sonnen expressed optimism about Topuria’s future in the UFC, suggesting that the fighter’s career trajectory may eventually eclipse McGregor’s.
“We don’t have to wonder where Conor’s going to go. The story is over…But Ilia is a fire that is still having gas put on it. Every time he signs a bout agreement, he stokes that fire. Every time he makes a walk, every time he gets a victory, every time he gets a microphone, he adds to that fire.” —Chael Sonnen, UFC Hall of Famer
Paulie Malignaggi Challenges McGregor’s Legacy
Meanwhile, former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi has voiced sharp criticism toward McGregor, stemming from their 2017 sparring sessions whose footage was leaked by McGregor. Malignaggi has consistently claimed that he had the upper hand during their training, challenging McGregor’s portrayal of the events.
In an interview with talkSPORT.com, Malignaggi directly criticized McGregor’s character and challenged him to a winner-takes-all showdown.
“Conor [McGregor] is a very insecure person, he sold our sparring session in the complete wrong way and he is always trying to one-up me. Anything I do he is always involved, it is always me responding and it is never me initiating…I think with Conor, I’d only do it winner-takes-all. It would generate so much money so the winner would take a guaranteed $50k, or the whole pot whatever that is.” —Paulie Malignaggi, Former boxing world champion
Implications for Ilia Topuria’s Career and UFC Landscape
The ongoing Ilia Topuria UFC champion debate highlights the nuances between holding multiple titles simultaneously versus winning multiple championship belts at different times. While McGregor remains the only fighter to simultaneously hold two UFC belts, Topuria’s rise as a two-time champion at a young age positions him as a formidable figure in MMA.
As Topuria continues to compete, many experts and fans are watching closely to see if he will attempt to unify or capture multiple titles simultaneously, potentially redefining his legacy. This rivalry and the discourse surrounding both fighters reflect the evolving nature of championship status in the UFC and how new contenders like Topuria challenge existing records and perceptions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a professional mixed martial artist from Georgia and Spain. He fights in the UFC’s Lightweight class and is the current champion there.