Natalie Loureda, the girlfriend of LA Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller and a lifelong martial artist herself, recently shared her amusement after watching UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria swiftly knock out members of the influencer group, NELK Boys. Loureda, who trained in Taekwondo under her father and is the sister of MMA fighter turned WWE star Lola Vice, posted a clip of Topuria’s knockout on her Instagram story with a laughing emoji.
Topuria, known for his dominant striking, faced off against the inexperienced NELK Boys without hesitation, knocking out two of them with ease. This incident reignited interest in Topuria’s rising status within the UFC, where he remains undefeated and holds two divisional titles. His recent wins against legends Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira have cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s elite competitors.
Ilia Topuria’s Recent Victory at UFC 317 During International Fight Week
Topuria’s latest bout occurred at UFC 317, held on June 28 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Natalie Loureda was present at the venue, attending the event as part of her coverage for the show
Rolling with the Punches with Natalie Loureda.
Her firsthand experience at the event added a personal layer to her enthusiasm for Topuria’s performance. The fighter’s knockout victory further boosted his momentum in the lightweight division and underscored his striking power.
Anticipation Builds for UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi
Looking ahead, Loureda shared her insights on the upcoming UFC event set to take place in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the excitement around the middleweight headliner between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder. Both athletes bring impressive credentials, with Whittaker having faced top-tier opponents such as Israel Adesanya, Khamzat Chimaev, and Darren Till, while De Ridder, a two-division ONE Championship titleholder from the Netherlands, is currently on a winning streak.
“Have you noticed how Whittaker has only faced the best of the best in the UFC? DDP, Izzy, Khamzat,” Loureda said (0:00), via “Rolling with the Punches with Natalie Loureda.” “Now he’s facing De Ridder from the Netherlands, and he’s a former two-division ONE Championship champ. De Ridder’s on a win streak too. I’m so excited for Abu Dhabi.”
Preview of Key Matchups Including Bantamweight and Middleweight Bouts
Besides the main event, Loureda highlighted the bantamweight contest between Petr Yan and Marcus McGhee. She pointed out Yan’s underrated striking ability and noted McGhee’s potential knockout power, which makes the fight highly intriguing. Yan, the former UFC bantamweight champion from Russia, is favored in betting circles but Loureda suggested McGhee’s aggressive style could present a serious challenge.
“Petr Yan from Russia is known for his super sneaky striking,” Loureda said. “I think that he doesn’t get enough credit for winning the belt versus José Aldo. It’s my first time watching Marcus McGhee fight, and I watched his highlights and now I can’t forget his name. If he takes you to the corner, he will knock you out. Guy that’s playing a killer in a movie.”
Loureda also plans to follow other significant bouts on the card, including the middleweight matchup between Sharabutdin Magomedov and Marc-André Barriault and the flyweight contest between Asu Almabayev and Jose Ochoa. These matchups offer additional excitement and showcase rising talent at different weight classes.
The Growing Impact of UFC Events on Fighters and Fans
The increasing visibility of fighters like Ilia Topuria and the ongoing enthusiasm from fans and martial artists such as Natalie Loureda reflect the expanding appeal of the UFC worldwide. High-profile events like UFC 317 and the forthcoming Abu Dhabi fight night not only serve as platforms for top-level competition but also deepen the connection between fighters and their supporters. With Topuria continuing to impress and Loureda actively engaging with the MMA community, the UFC’s influence is set to grow stronger in the coming months.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a mixed martial artist from Georgia and Spain. He fights in the UFC’s Lightweight division. Topuria is the current UFC Lightweight Champion.