Ilia Topuria recently defended his UFC Featherweight Championship against one of the best to ever do it inside the Octagon, Max Holloway. Not only did he beat ‘Blessed’, but he did so fighting the way Holloway wanted the fight to go. On the feet dealing punches left, right and straight, that’s how ‘El Matador’ managed to become the first fighter in the history of the UFC to ever knock out Max Holloway who is perhaps the finest ever boxer in UFC’s history.
But that’s not the only knockout Ilia Topuria has on his UFC CV. Infact, that was his sixth. It would be fair to say, that the Spaniard has become somewhat of a knockout specialist with 6 finishes in 8 UFC fights with only two going to the Judges’ scorecards. The 16-0-0 fighter has delivered some amazing knockouts over the years so let’s rank his 6 UFC submissions and KO’s from normal to best.
Top 6 Ilia Topuria KO’s and Submissions
- Ilia Topuria vs Ryan Hall
In his 3rd UFC fight, ‘El Matador’ faced Ryan Hall against whom, the Spaniard found it difficult to maintain his tempo because of the unpredictability of his opponent. Ryan Hall would get on the ground as soon as he encountered some damage to disrupt Topuria’s rhythm. But in the end, Topuria made him pay with hammerfists which could’ve knocked out a hippo.
- Ilia Topuria vs Damon Jackson
This was El Matador’s first knockout in the UFC. It was where his legacy started and it had all that Ilia Topuria is. The painstaking body shots followed up with a nasty knockout punch to the face showed the world what Ilia Topuria is made of in just his 2nd UFC appearance.
- Ilia Topuria vs Bryce Mitchell
Going up against a talented grappler like Bryce Mitchell can be hazardous to one’s hopes of making it into the Featherweight top 10. But not Ilia Topuria. He fought fire with fire and managed to submit Mitchell at his own game and made his entry into the top 10.
- Ilia Topuria vs Jai Herbert
Ilia’s third straight KO in the UFC in his 4th UFC fight cane against Jai Herbert, and it was unforgettable. For the first time, he tasted real adversity after taking a solid kick straight to the chin, something that rocked him. But instead of backing down, he found his footing, regrouped, and came back with an incredible finish. It was one of those surreal moments that remind you why you love the sport.
- Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria
El Matador’s crowning moment came against arguably the Greatest Featherweight of All time in the UFC, Alexander Volkanovski. This KO would be much higher if not for Volkanovski being in the twilight of his incredible career. An even contest up until Round 2, Topuria pressured Volk until he delivered the KO punch which slept the Australian 155lbs’er.
- Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway
33 fighters have tried and all have failed. But Topuria isn’t one of them. Before their fight at UFC 308, El Matador declared he would be the first to knockout Max Holloway. And he stayed true to his word.
