Ilia Topuria names the toughest opponent he’s fought during his 17-0 MMA career

Besides a mid-fight blip against Jai Herbert, ‘El Matador’ has been perfect inside the UFC Octagon.

What more does Ilia Topuria have to do to enter the UFC GOAT debate? 🐐

Who gave Ilia Topuria the toughest fight?

Ilia Topuria has scored emphatic knockout wins over Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira in his past two fights.

The reigning lightweight champion also boasts high-profile wins over Ryan Hall, Bryce Mitchell, and Josh Emmett.

However, the 29-year-old insists no one gave him a tougher fight than Alexander Volkanovski did when they fought for 145lb gold at UFC 298 in February 2024.

“Volkanovski,” Topuria immediately replied when Adin Ross asked him to name his ‘most difficult’ opponent.

He added: “Very smart guy inside the Octagon.

“He knows how to fight.

“He is very calculated.”

Who wins between Conor McGregor and Ilia Topuria in their prime?

Ilia Topuria’s next fight

Ilia Topuria has been sidelined due to a family issue since winning at UFC 317 in June 2025.

In his absence, Justin Gaethje won an interim 155lb title by beating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324.

Topuria’s next fight will almost certainly see him face Gaethje in a UFC unification bout.

It was hoped that they would face off at the UFC White House event scheduled for June 14.

Topuria says he ‘hasn’t got the call’ yet, but won’t rule out competing on the unique fight card.

“It could be me, no one knows,” he said. “That’s why I didn’t get any call, I could get the call now.

“I think that they have to figure out so many things, and they have so many things going on right now.

“It’s not easy, it’s easy to judge these things when you’re outside, but it’s hard to deal with so much things when you are in it, and people don’t understand it.”