Ilia Topuria, known for his remarkable striking skills, demonstrated his powerful UFC knockout power during a recent livestream sparring session with the Nelk Boys. The two-division UFC champion engaged with members of the influential group in a spirited session that quickly highlighted Topuria’s brutal punching ability.
The session included Kyle Forgeard, Aaron ‘Steiny’ Steinberg, and Salim ‘The Dream’ Sirur, all of whom faced Topuria’s intense striking. At one point, Topuria landed several hard right hands that knocked down both Forgeard and Steinberg, showcasing why he is feared inside the octagon.
The Details of Topuria’s Sparring Session with Nelk Boys
During the livestream on Wednesday, Topuria first grappled with Forgeard, Steinberg, and Sirur before transitioning into striking rounds. The fighters put on gloves and faced off, giving viewers an up-close look at the lightweight champion’s knockout power in a controlled environment. The session reflected Topuria’s skill not just as a UFC champion but also as a disciplined martial artist.
Although the Nelk Boys are primarily known for their online content, their encounter with Topuria emphasized the gap in experience and skill between an elite professional athlete and internet personalities. The sparring highlighted Topuria’s speed, accuracy, and raw power, reinforcing his reputation in the MMA community.
Topuria’s Rise as UFC Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria earned the UFC lightweight title in June by delivering a first-round knockout against Charles Oliveira in Las Vegas. His victory came at 2:27 into the opening round, making him the tenth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. Remarkably, Topuria maintains an undefeated record while being a two-division champion, a unique achievement in UFC lore.
Following his championship win, speculation arose about his next opponent, with fans particularly interested in a potential matchup against Paddy Pimblett, the No. 8 lightweight ranked from Liverpool. The two fighters have a notable history dating back to 2021, which has drawn significant attention from the MMA community.
Topuria previously expressed his desire to face Pimblett in his first title defense, preferably in Las Vegas. He said,
If he thinks he’s ready, come on. You blond b—-,
—Ilia Topuria. However, his stance evolved as he later suggested that both Pimblett and fellow contender Arman Tsarukyan require additional wins before challenging him. He also indicated that the UFC might opt to make Justin Gaethje his next opponent, further shaping the lightweight division’s future.
The Significance of Topuria’s Performance and Future Prospects
Topuria’s demonstration of knockout power in the sparring session reaffirms his status as one of the UFC’s most formidable champions. His ability to control and dominate even non-professional fighters with such ease highlights his skill level and readiness to defend his titles against top contenders.
As fans await Topuria’s next official fight, the expectation is that his continued dominance in training will translate into decisive performances inside the octagon. With potential matchups against notable fighters like Pimblett or Gaethje on the horizon, Ilia Topuria remains a pivotal figure in the lightweight division, poised to further cement his legacy in MMA history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a skilled mixed martial artist from Georgia and Spain. He fights in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and holds the title of UFC Lightweight Champion.