Ilia Topuria is a UFC featherweight champion who won the title in February 2024 with a knockout over Alexander Volkanovski. He believes that his future is bright and sees himself becoming the highest-paid athlete in the world by the end of 2025. Topuria made $350,000 for his win over Volkanovski and aims to reach the pinnacle of athlete earnings.
The only UFC fighter to have appeared on the list of the highest-paid athletes is Conor McGregor, who achieved this by earning most of his income from activities outside of MMA. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are at the top of the Forbes list of the highest-paid athletes, with boxers Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua also making the list. Despite not being a household name in the United States, Topuria is well-known in Spain, where he moved after leaving Georgia at the age of 15.
Following his victory over Volkanovski, Topuria was honored at a Real Madrid game at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he received recognition from Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Sanchez commended Topuria for his efforts, dedication, and perseverance, emphasizing his love for Spain. Topuria’s coach, Jorge Climent, expressed surprise at the fighter’s popularity in Spain, where the sport was previously considered niche. Climent believes that a UFC event headlined by Topuria at the Santiago Bernabeu would sell out.
Climent is confident that Topuria has the potential to attract a diverse audience at the Santiago Bernabeu, given Spain’s appeal as a vacation destination for Europeans. UFC CEO Dana White has shown enthusiasm for the idea of hosting a fight card at the stadium. This recognition and support from top officials and sports personalities in Spain are a testament to Topuria’s growing influence and popularity in the country.
In conclusion, Ilia Topuria’s rise to stardom as the UFC featherweight champion has opened up new opportunities for him in the world of sports and entertainment. His goal of becoming the highest-paid athlete in the world is ambitious but not unattainable, given his talent and dedication to the sport. With the support of his coach, fans, and top officials in Spain, Topuria’s future looks promising as he continues to make waves in the MMA world and beyond.
