Ilia Topuria ends mystery, reveals new nickname ahead of UFC lightweight debut

Ilia Topuria is a former featherweight champion (Photo / Reproduction Instagram UFC)

One of the mysteries surrounding the future of Ilia Topuria has been revealed. The revelation, made by the fighter himself, however, has nothing to do with the date of his debut in the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg) but rather with the nickname used by the Spanish-Georgian. In a post on social media, the former featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg) revealed that he will no longer be called 'El Matador' and will adopt the nickname 'La Leyenda', or 'The Legend', in Spanish.

The fighter, who recently relinquished his featherweight belt and announced a permanent move to lightweight, explained the reasoning process that led him to change the nickname by which he is known.

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“'El Matador' is something that has accompanied me throughout my entire sports career, my entire trajectory, and something that led me to the new nickname. It's what I always say: You have to believe. You have to see to believe. I first believe, then I see. The nickname that will accompany me in my next fights will be 'La Leyenda',” explained the former champion.

Ilia Topuria became featherweight champion in early 2024, by knocking out the then champion Alexander Volkanovsky, and defended the title at the end of the same year, knocking out the former champion Max Holloway. Now, the Spanish-Georgian awaits the UFC's decision regarding his first step after moving to lightweight and has been actively campaigning to fight for the belt against the Russian. Islam makhachev.