Ilia Topuria He is the new UFC featherweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFCNews
Ao knock out Alexander Volkanovski in the main fight of UFC 298, last Saturday (17) and surpass the negative retrospect of undefeated athletes in title disputes in the organization, Ilia Topuria joined a select group of fighters who knew the sweet taste of winning an Ultimate belt without ever having tasted the bitter taste of defeat.
New UFC featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg), Ilia Topuria He was only the 14th fighter in the organization's history to win a belt without ever being defeated in his career. Georgian-Spanish joins names like Lyoto Machida, Israel adesanyaRandy Couture Ronda Rousey e Khabib Nurmagomedov. See the complete list in chronological order below:
Mark coleman
M. Coleman is a former UFC heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter
Legend of the sport, Mark Coleman became the inaugural heavyweight champion at UFC 12, in 1997, with his sixth victory in six career fights, against Dan Severn. The 'Hammer's' first defeat came precisely in his first title defense, against Maurice Smith, five months after winning.
Randy Couture
At the end of 1997, a future legend won the heavyweight belt in his third professional fight, against Vitor belfort, at UFC 15. Randy Couture defended the title once before leaving the title vacant for professional reasons and suffering the first defeat of his career fighting in Japan, in 1998.
Tim sylvia
Still in the heavyweight division, but six years later, in 2003, Tim Sylvia became champion with a record of 15 wins in 15 fights by knocking out Ricco Rodriguez. The American defended his title once before losing the belt due to doping and being defeated by Frank mir in 2004.
Rashad evans
Four years later, in 2008, Rashad evans became the first light heavyweight in history to win the belt with an undefeated record. The North American achieved the feat by knocking out his compatriot Forrest griffin at UFC 92, accumulating his 13th victory in a record that also included a draw, but no defeat.
Lyoto Machida
Lyoto Machida wins belt at UFC 98. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The first defeat of his career Rashad evans came precisely in the undefeated duel against Lyoto Machida, who became champion with a 15-0 record with a memorable knockout over the North American. The 'Dragon' still defended the title against Mauricio Shogun before suffering his first defeat in the rematch against Curitiba.
Cain Velazquez
Back to the heavyweights, the undefeated one was Cain Velazquez. The former champion won the belt with a 9-0 record in a victory over Brock Lesnar at UFC 121, in 2010. His first defeat came the following year, at the hands of Junior Gypsy.
Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey She became the first female UFC champion even before debuting in the organization, when she was still working for Strikeforce and had a record of six wins in six fights. The American remained undefeated until 2015, when she was knocked out by Holly holm.
Chris Weidman
Weidman in UFC victory (Photo: Reproduction Facebook Chris Weidman)
Despite the underdog label, Chris Weidman was undefeated when he shocked the world with his knockout over Anderson Silva at UFC 162, in 2013. The 'All-American' also defended his title on three occasions until he was knocked out by Luke Rockhold in 2015.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Biggest name in strawweight history, Joanna Jedrzejczyk reached the belt undefeated with a 9-0 record. The Polish woman defended her title on five occasions until she was knocked out by Rose namajunas at UFC 217 in 2017.
Holly holm
As much as Lyoto Machida against Rashad evans, Holly holm won the bantamweight belt and defended his unbeaten career, ending another: Ronda Rousey. The boxing legend ended his compatriot's dynasty and won the tenth victory in ten fights in his career, but lost his title and unbeaten record in his first defense against Miesha Tate at UFC 196 in 2016.
cody garbrandt
cody garbrandt was another one who became undefeated champion, by 'surpassing' against Dominick Cruz at UFC 207, in 2016, but lost his title and unbeaten record in his first defense, against TJ Dillashawin November 2017.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Among all the names mentioned in the list, Khabib Nurmagomedov he was the only one who remained unbeaten until the end of his career. The Russian said goodbye to MMA in October 2020 with 29 wins in 29 fights and three title defenses.
Israel adesanya
I. Adesanya in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc
The last fighter to win the belt undefeated before Ilia Topuria had been Israel adesanya. The Nigerian middleweight did so with an 18-0 record after a victory over Robert whittaker No. UFC 243, in 2019. His first defeat came two years later, in his attempt to become light heavyweight champion against Jan Blachowicz.
Ilia Topuria
With a newly secured place on the list, Ilia Topuria achieved his 15th victory in 15 career fights by knocking out Alexander Volkanovsky in the main fight of UFC 298 and win the featherweight belt.
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