Could be Topuria’s turn to be face of the UFC
We’re sitting at the dawn of a new ear for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
I’m in Las Vegas for International Fight Week. What started as a celebration of MMA has transformed greatly. From the days were the Fan Expo, Hall of Fame, and up to three UFC fights where now weeks festivities also include Power Slap, UFC BJJ where three champions were crowned at the first event, which is replacing the Fight Pass invitational, and a press conference for the Canelo vs. Crawford boxing match.
The fighter who’s considered the face of the company have always held a prestigious spot and drawn major attention. For a long time, Jon Jones held the spot, he’s now retired. Speculations about Conor McGregor’s future continue to loom. In the UFC’s brief history, we have seen the face of the company transition many times. From the tug of war between Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, to Randy Couture. The marquee shined with Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey, and hit new heights with Conor McGregor.
The grand finale of IFW 2025 could provide the company with its next face. The main event of UFC 317 will see former UFC Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria who vacated the title, trying to join the exclusive club of UFC Fighters to win titles in two divisions, while his opponent former Lightweight champion Charles Oliveria could become the first person to have two reigns.
Topuria debuted in the UFC in 2020 after winning titles in smaller European promotions at both Bantamweight and Featherweight. The now 28-year-old Georgian Spaniard has added eight more wins to his resume while keeping the 0 in the loss column. Five wins have come by knockout including his last two over all-time greats Alexander Volkanovski & Max Holloway. In his home country of Spain Topuria’s has already reached an A list celebrity status.
The UFC has continued global expansion. Spain is a nation yet to hold a UFC event. Many feel that Topuria popularity will lead to that inaugural voyage.
Always well dressed Topuria style has an almost James Bond feel. His style in the cage is a tight technical boxer with a Greco Roman wrestling and BJJ black belt in his pocket. He’s been now to make predictions but isn’t the kind of person to speak without thought. A very meticulous worker who plans out every action and every word.
The man who can halt the path to superstardom has had a drastically different path. Charles Olivera fought his way out of poverty growing up in a rough neighborhood in Brazil. At points in his career Oliveria was labeled weak and a quitter after a 2-4 stretch from 2015-2017.
The narrative has changed greatly but isn’t void of controversy. “Do Bronx” has won 13 of his last 15 fights and won the UFC Lightweight title. He also set a new record for most submission wins in UFC history. His championship reign included a defense over Dustin Poirier but wouldn’t go any further as he gave up the belt on the scale prior to facing Justin Gaethje at UFC 274.
The greats that have held the UFC Lightweight title BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar, Anthony Pettis, Benson Henderson and I could do on. Oliveira could be the first to reclaim the belt after losing it. Oliveira could ruin the coronation, or he may have the best seat in the house for the dawn of a new era in the UFC.
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