Former UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria is arguably one of the biggest names in the sport today. “La Leyenda” has won all of his eight fights in the UFC and holds an overall undefeated professional record of 16-0.
During his incredible run at featherweight, Topuria defeated the likes of Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, Josh Emmett, and Bryce Mitchell. UFC CEO Dana White announced a few months ago that Topuria had decided to vacate the featherweight belt and would now be moving up to the lightweight division.
Ilia Topuria Seemingly Imitates Conor McGregor’s Fighting Stance in an Old Video
On multiple occasions, Ilia Topuria has expressed an interest in sharing the Octagon with Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor and commended “The Notorious” for his contributions to the sport.
Recently, an old video of Topuria surfaced online in which he can be seen fighting in a karate stance. McGregor preferred this fighting style during his early UFC career. The former UFC double champion won several of his most significant fights while fighting in this stance.
The video aims to show how, over the years, Topuria has changed his fighting approach.
🥋🥊 Check out how Ilia Topuria's fighting style has changed over the years.
From having karate stance and using grappling to win his fights to heavy boxing approach nowadays. pic.twitter.com/iI4o37oXum
— Home Of Fight Picks (@theHOFPicks) April 19, 2025
The first fight is from Nov. 2016 when he faced Jhon Guarin at Mix Fight Events. The second contest is his latest outing against Max Holloway at UFC 308.
Fans React to Ilia Topuria Echoing Conor McGregor
The video caught the attention of several MMA fans who shared their thoughts in the comments section.
One fan opined that Topuria was inspired by McGregor and said, “The way he speaks and acts, along with his psychology and beliefs, are very similar to Conor. So his fighting like Conor makes sense. You tend to try to be like those you idolize.”
I feel like illa take alot of motivation from connor. The way he speaks and acts along with his phycology and beliefs are very similar to connor. So him fighting like connor makes sense. U tend to try to be like those u idolize
— suckmma (@btsuck123) April 19, 2025
Another individual claimed Topuria looked “ordinary” in the first half of the video but went on to say, “That man leveled up his game a lot since.”
He looked so ordinary here. That man leveled up his game a lot since
— york (@yorks1012) April 19, 2025
One user poked fun at Topuria’s height, saying, “He is one small man.”
Another took a dig at the 28-year-old, accusing him of desperately wanting to be like McGregor: “He wanted to be Conor so bad.”
The video also caused some fans to conclude that the change in Topuria’s fighting stance suggested boxing to be a superior martial art, with one person saying, “Bro discovered he’s got bombs in his fists LMAO.”
Despite numerous comparisons with McGregor, Topuria does not seem to be a big fan of the Irishman’s current condition or personality. During his recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Topuria claimed that McGregor was suffering the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle.
“His toe is f***ed. His chin is f***ed. His body is f***ed,” said Topuria. “With that much partying and drugs and all that, you’re gonna have to pay that price at some point. You are paying the price with your health, which is the dumbest thing you can do in your entire life.”
Ilia Topuria Gives His Candid Opinion on Conor McGregor's Apparent Health Condition:
"His toe is fed, his chin is fed, his body is f*ed. With that many parties and drugs, you're going to have to pay the price at some point. You're paying the price with your health, which is the… pic.twitter.com/XobuEEcjxd
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) April 16, 2025