UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria Defines His Pantheon of All-Time Greats and Blueprint for the Perfect Mixed Martial Artist

UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria, fresh off his decisive title victory, has offered a comprehensive insight into his views on the sport’s historical elite and the optimal attributes for a perfect fighter. During an extensive hour-long interview with DeepCut, Topuria delineated his "Mount Rushmore" of the four greatest fighters in Ultimate Fighting Championship history, a selection predominantly featuring multi-divisional champions, before meticulously constructing his ideal combatant by dissecting various skill sets.

Topuria’s list for the four all-time best fighters in UFC history underscores a clear admiration for versatility and sustained dominance across weight classes, with three of his four choices having captured belts in multiple divisions. Leading his esteemed quartet is Jon Jones, the former two-time Light Heavyweight Champion and current Heavyweight Champion. Jones holds the record for the youngest champion in UFC history at 23 years old and has successfully defended his light heavyweight title a record 11 times, establishing himself as one of the most dominant forces in the sport’s history with victories over notable opponents such as Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Shogun Rua. His recent triumph in the heavyweight division further solidified his claim as a generational talent capable of adapting to different weight classes.

Following Jones, Topuria selected Georges St-Pierre (GSP), widely regarded as one of the greatest welterweights of all time. St-Pierre held the welterweight title for an unprecedented 2,232 days across two reigns and holds the record for most title defenses in the division with nine. Known for his exceptional wrestling, disciplined striking, and strategic approach to fights, GSP returned from a four-year hiatus in 2017 to capture the middleweight championship, becoming a two-division titleholder and cementing his legacy as a tactical genius and relentless competitor.

The third name on Topuria’s Mount Rushmore is Conor McGregor, an individual who, like Topuria himself, achieved the rare feat of holding both the featherweight and lightweight titles simultaneously. McGregor’s meteoric rise saw him defeat José Aldo in a record 13 seconds to claim the undisputed featherweight championship in 2015, followed by his knockout victory over Eddie Alvarez in 2016 to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts concurrently. His impact on the sport’s global popularity and pay-per-view figures is undeniable, with his charisma and powerful left hand drawing millions of new fans to mixed martial arts.

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Completing Topuria’s quartet is Anderson Silva, the Brazilian phenom who dominated the middleweight division for an unparalleled 2,457 days. Silva’s reign, which included a record 10 consecutive title defenses and 16 consecutive UFC victories, is characterized by his innovative striking, pinpoint accuracy, and uncanny ability to finish opponents with spectacular knockouts and submissions. His highlight-reel victories over Rich Franklin, Forrest Griffin, and Chael Sonnen cemented his status as a striking savant and one of the most entertaining champions in UFC history. The inclusion of three multi-division champions on Topuria’s list underscores a consistent theme of adaptability and widespread dominance as key criteria for all-time greatness in his assessment.

Beyond his historical selections, Topuria delved into the attributes necessary to forge the ultimate mixed martial artist, meticulously selecting specific fighters for each essential component.

For striking, Topuria again turned to Jon Jones, citing his exceptional fight IQ and defensive acumen. "Maybe he doesn’t have that frequency of punches and all that, but every time he throws something he protects himself, he knows when to throw a punch. Like, he has a great IQ. That’s why I would say that I would choose his striking," Topuria explained. Jones’s striking is distinctive, characterized by his extensive use of oblique kicks to control distance and disrupt opponents’ bases, as well as his elbow strikes in the clinch. His ability to adapt his striking to neutralize different opponents, often while minimizing damage to himself, highlights the strategic depth that Topuria identified.

In the grappling department, Topuria acknowledged a challenging choice, finding himself "on the fence" between two distinct, yet equally elite, practitioners: his past foe Charles Oliveira and the retired Demian Maia. Charles Oliveira, the former Lightweight Champion, holds the UFC record for most submission victories with 16, showcasing an aggressive and opportunistic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game. His "do Bronx" style frequently sees him attacking with chokes and joint locks from various positions, making him a constant threat on the ground. Demian Maia, a multiple-time BJJ world champion and ADCC medalist, is renowned for his pure grappling prowess, systematically breaking down opponents with suffocating top control and relentless submission attempts throughout his career, which included two title shots. The choice between Oliveira’s dynamic submission artistry and Maia’s fundamental, pressure-based grappling highlights the varied excellence within the sport’s ground game.

When it came to cardio, Topuria did not hesitate to select Merab Dvalishvili, the highly-ranked bantamweight known for his relentless pace and seemingly boundless energy. Topuria recounted a personal anecdote to illustrate Dvalishvili’s extraordinary endurance: "I remember the last time when he came to my house, we did, I don’t know, 10 or 12 rounds. And I was like, listen, guy, leave me alone, I don’t want to do anything else. And he was trying to do more rounds and he ended up doing, I don’t know, 35 or 30 rounds. He doesn’t get tired. I don’t know if it’s running or what it is, but he’s built different." Dvalishvili’s professional record, currently standing at 17-4 with a 10-fight winning streak in the UFC, is a testament to his ability to maintain a high-volume output of strikes and takedown attempts throughout 15 or 25-minute contests, consistently overwhelming opponents with his ceaseless pressure.

For boxing, Topuria named a diverse group of veterans and a personal connection, including Darren Till, Petr Yan, Conor McGregor, and his own brother, Aleksandre Topuria. Darren Till, though no longer a UFC fighter and now competing in professional boxing, was recognized for his early career striking prowess and powerful southpaw left hand that propelled him to a welterweight title shot. Petr Yan, a former UFC Bantamweight Champion, is celebrated for his technical, disciplined boxing, often utilizing intricate footwork, intelligent counter-striking, and effective body shots. Conor McGregor’s boxing skills are well-documented, famously highlighted during his crossover boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., and his potent left cross has been a cornerstone of his success in MMA.

Topuria’s strongest endorsement, however, was reserved for his brother, Aleksandre Topuria. "And of course my brother. I know how he box. And for me, he’s the best boxer in the UFC right now because I know his level, I know his skills, his technique, everything. I would say that he’s one of the best boxers in the UFC right now," Ilia stated. Aleksandre Topuria, currently holding a professional mixed martial arts record of 7-1, has begun his UFC tenure with a flawless 2-0 record. His victories include a unanimous decision over Colby Thicknesse at UFC 298 in February 2024 and a TKO win against Bekzat Almakhan at UFC on ESPN 56 in May 2024, demonstrating sharp striking and developing power. "Maybe people don’t know a lot about him, but with time, they’re gonna know it. It’s coming," Topuria concluded, signaling his firm belief in his brother’s burgeoning talent and future impact on the sport’s striking landscape.

As the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion with an undefeated record of 15-0, Ilia Topuria’s assessments carry significant weight within the mixed martial arts community. His detailed breakdown of both the sport’s historical legends and the constituent elements of a perfect fighter provides a unique perspective from an active, elite competitor.

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