Fans criticize Ilia Topuria's new UFC nickname: 'The humiliation will be glorious'

Ilia Topuria is a former UFC featherweight champion. Photo: Instagram / UFC

Last Tuesday (25), Ilia Topuria revealed his new nickname to compete in his new UFC lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg). Known as 'El Matador' during his reign in the featherweight division (up to 65,7 kg), the former champion will now be known as 'La Leyenda', which means 'The Legend' in Portuguese. His new nickname has already generated a lot of reactions from fans, but not all of them have been positive.

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The 28-year-old has put together an impressive professional record, with 16 wins and no losses (including eight triumphs in eight UFC appearances), earning the promotion's featherweight title. In his last two fights, the Georgian-Spanish fighter has scored incredible knockouts in Alexander Volkanovsky e Max Holloway. Topuria is the only fighter to defeat Volkanovski in a featherweight bout and the first to turn the lights out on Holloway.

Topuria now feels ready to go after the lightweight belt and is preparing for a possible fight against the champion Islam makhachev. The change was met with some eye-rolling, with many believing Topuria isn't strong enough for the division, and with the new nickname 'La Leyenda' to round it off, fans weren't forgiving. In the comments of the North American news portal 'MMA Fighting', there was no shortage of criticism. (see below)

With Topuria's departure from the featherweight division, the belt in the category became vacant and will be disputed by the former champion Alexander Volkanovsky against the Brazilian living in Mexico Diego lopes No. UFC 314, which takes place next month.