What Country does Ilia Topuria Represent?

Ilia Topuria is a professional MMA fighter who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former featherweight titleholder of the company and currently competes in the lightweight division.

Topuria holds an undefeated professional MMA record of 16 wins in 16 fights (15-0-0) as of June 15, 2025, and is gearing up for his high-stakes return to the octagon at UFC 317.

Ilia Topuria Nationality

Ilia Topuria is of both Georgian and Spanish nationalities. He was born in Halle Westfalen, Germany, to parents of Georgian heritage and has expressed his affection for both countries and the opportunities they have provided him. He desires to represent both Georgia and Spain in the UFC. Furthermore, Topuria holds citizenship in both nations, making him eligible to represent either in his fighting career.

Also Read: Is Ilia Topuria Spanish?

Ilia Topuria Brother

Alexsandre Topuria is the elder brother of Ilia Topuria. Like Ilia he is also an active professional mixed martiala artist and recently made his promotional debut in the UFC. Alexsandre goes by the moniker 'El Cazador' and is currently 29 years of age. He fights in the bantamweight division (135 lbs.).

Early Life and Career of Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria and his family relocated to Georgia when he was seven. He began practicing Greco-Roman wrestling at school. At 15, he moved to Alicante, Spain, where he trained in martial arts at the Clement Club. Starting his professional career in local competitions in 2015, he gained attention for his four consecutive submission victories on the Spanish regional circuit. Topuria won a belt in the Mix Fight Events promotion. In 2018, he competed internationally in Cage MMA Finland and achieved the distinction of becoming the first Georgian black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Later that year, Topuria had the opportunity to fight for the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship in Belgium. Despite winning the fight, he did not receive the title due to failing to meet the agreed weight. In 2019, he signed with Brave Combat Federation. Topuria made his debut in Bogota, Colombia, where he secured a first-round submission victory over Luis Gomez, earning him the award for the best performance of the night. In November of the same year, he continued his success in the promotion by knocking out Steven Goncalves in the first round in Bahrain. Stepping in as a replacement for Seung Woo Choi, Ilia Topuria made his UFC debut on short notice against Youssef Zalal on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen.

Last Updated on June 15, 2025