UFC featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, is quickly budding into one of the promotion’s biggest stars, and now, his older brother will have his chance in the premier promotion to do the exact same.
As of now, Ilia Topuria is the only undefeated champion in the UFC, making his stock rise as high as any other champion’s.
On October 26, he will have a chance to send his stardom to the moon when he defends his 145lb title against UFC fan favorite, Max Holloway.
However, he isn’t the only talented fighter from his family, as his brother Aleksandre Topuria also competes in the sport.
Alexsandre Topuria announces he has officially signed with the UFC
This Thursday evening, the 28-year-old bantamweight announced that he has finally signed a contract with the UFC after three impressive wins on the regional scene in Spain.
Ilia teased earlier this year that his brother was signing with the promotion, but nothing was made official up until now.
Although ‘El Conquistador’ has only competed six times professionally, he has impressed with five stoppage wins, three by KO and two via submission.
Topuria will be joining an extremely deep UFC bantamweight division and will be hoping to go down the same path that his younger brother did, with a relatively quick rise up the ranks.
“Hey there everyone! As many of you know, my personal goal and challenge for many years was to see my brother (raise) the world championship belt, I positioned myself as his coach, and thank God, that goal was fulfilled,” Aleksandre began in a statement on his Instagram.
“I’m proud and grateful of the performance my brother had, now it’s my time to defend him and of course, I’ll be there.
“Likewise, in my mind and heart, the desire to battle on the frontline has never faded, so I’ve never stopped doing it, but this time it will be in the biggest league in the world. I would like to announce I have officially signed with the UFC,” Topuria added.
‘El Conquistador’, which translates to ‘The Hunter’, last fought in May last year, knocking out former Cage Warriors fighter, Johan Segas in the first round.
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Possible matchups for Topuria’s UFC debut
It is unlikely that the promotion will look to quickly push him up the rankings, considering he only has six pro fights and is just 28 years old.
Because of how strong the bantamweight division is, there are several exciting matchups for Topuria to begin his UFC tenure to try and win over the fans, just like his brother.
I would expect ‘El Conquistador’s’ debut to come against someone like Ramon Taveras or Chad Anheliger, someone of that ilk, just to see where he fits into one of the deepest divisions in MMA.