What featherweight in the world can realistically beat Ilia Topuria right now?
After knocking out all-time greats Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, who proved themselves to be a tier above all the other featherweights for the previous five years, Ilia is approaching all-time status himself.
There are only a handful of contenders available who bring something new to the table:
Top contenders Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling face each other at UFC 310 to end 2024. One of them could be the next title contenders, they certainly deserve it based on resume.
Evloev would as an undefeated fighter with what would be a 9-0 UFC record who can mix striking and wrestling effectively but presents no finishing threat.
As a former bantamweight champ, Aljamain Sterling having a 2-0 record against top featherweights means he should earn consideration for a title shot.
Sterling’s grappling expertise will be a new challenge for Ilia, who is himself a BJJ black belt who had won every fight prior to the UFC by submission.
The highest ranked rising challenger is Diego Lopes. Although Lopes lost to Evloev in his UFC debut he has captured the hearts of fans with his unique personality and exhilarating fighting style.
Lopes prioritizes finishing fights whether it be with his wild but explosive punches or his scary submission game. He has as good a chance as anyone to beat Topuria if he can surprise the champ with something.
Yet “as good a chance as anyone” is no good chance at all. Other contenders exist down the road like Arnold Allen and Lerone Murphy potentially while rematches await like Alex Volkanovski.
However, after finishing Holloway and Volkanovski each in the first three rounds, ‘El Matador’ will be a prohibitive favorite against anyone he fights.
The UFC featherweight division has always produced GOAT candidates who went legendary runs, and it seems the same will be true of Ilia.
He already has two of the best back-to-back wins in UFC history, if he can string together several title defenses and remain undefeated in his prime, he will join Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, and Alex Volkanovski in the pantheon of the all-time greats.
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