Ilia Topuria Unveils New Nickname as He Moves Up to Lightweight Division
After dominating the UFC featherweight division, Ilia Topuria has decided to make the jump to the lightweight division. The fighter, known for his nickname “El Matador,” recently teased a new identity for his next fight.
During a ceremony in Toledo, Spain, Topuria announced that he will now go by the moniker “La Leyenda,” which translates to “The Legend.” In addition to his new nickname, Topuria also received the honor of having a street named after him – Paseo Ilia Topuria.
Explaining the reason behind the change, Topuria stated, “‘El Matador’ has been a part of my journey so far, but I believe it’s time for a new chapter. I always say you need to believe before you can achieve, and I truly believe in the legend that I am becoming.”
Topuria’s recent success includes winning the featherweight title with a stunning knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, followed by a victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308.
UFC fans can expect to see Volkanovski face off against Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, as Topuria transitions to the lightweight division.