Within the wake of UFC 317, the MMA world is buzzing with a daring latest hot take: Ilia Topuria has surpassed Conor McGregor and each other name in UFC history to grow to be the promotion’s biggest star. It’s a claim that, even a 12 months ago, would have sounded outlandish. But after Topuria’s electrifying run, culminating in his historic two-division championship, the numbers, the spectacle, and the worldwide impact all point to a seismic shift within the UFC’s star power hierarchy.
Ilia Topuria’s ascent has been nothing wanting spectacular. Already the UFC featherweight champion after a shocking knockout of Alexander Volkanovski, Topuria set his sights on lightweight gold. At UFC 317, he delivered on every ounce of hype, demolishing Charles Oliveira with a first-round knockout to say the vacant lightweight belt. The win made Topuria just the tenth fighter in UFC history to carry titles in two divisions, and he did it with an undefeated record, now standing at 17-0.
What’s much more remarkable is the speed and dominance of his run. Topuria became a double champion at 28 years, 4 months, and 21 days, just 11 days older than McGregor was when he achieved the identical feat. But while McGregor’s rise was marked by brash talk and historic knockouts, Topuria’s has been defined by a relentless, clinical ending ability. He stopped Volkanovski, became the primary man to complete Max Holloway, and now has knocked out Oliveira in under three minutes.
Age when becoming a double champion:
Conor McGregor: 28 years, 4 months and 10 days
Ilia Topuria: 28 years, 4 months and 21 days
CRAZY
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 29, 2025
The Numbers Don’t Lie!
It’s not only Topuria’s performances which can be turning heads—it’s the worldwide phenomenon he’s grow to be, particularly in Spain. UFC President Dana White was effusive in his praise after UFC 317, revealing that Topuria’s fight drew TV numbers in Spain on par with Rafael Nadal’s tennis matches, Formula 1 races, and Real Madrid games—regardless that the fight aired at 6 a.m. local time. “We’ve got a star on our hands,” White declared, noting that Topuria’s “coming out party” was as spectacular as anyone could have imagined.
Article Continues Below
White says that he’s thrilled that Topuria’s fight did big numbers in Spain after a reporter says that they were comparable to a Nadal tennis match, F1 or Real Madrid games despite being at 6 am.
“We’ve got a star on our hands”
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 29, 2025
The Spanish-Georgian’s impact has been so profound that the UFC is now actively working to stage its first-ever event in Spain, a market previously untapped by the promotion. Topuria’s knockout victories have brought out the country’s sporting royalty, with the likes of Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas celebrating his wins and mainstream Spanish media covering his every move. This level of crossover appeal is something even McGregor, despite his global fame, never quite achieved in a single nation outside Ireland.
The McGregor Comparison
Conor McGregor’s legacy because the UFC’s biggest star is built on his dual-division championships, his outsized personality, and his ability to attract massive crowds and PPV buys. But as McGregor’s profession has faded, he hasn’t fought since 2021 and is now 36 years old, the UFC has been looking for its next transcendent figure. Topuria, at just 28, is just not only undefeated but in addition carries himself with the identical swagger and confidence that made McGregor a household name.
Topuria himself has addressed the comparisons head-on, stating, “Actually, I’m larger than him. Without delay, I’m larger than him”. He’s not alone on this assessment. UFC legends and analysts, have publicly touted Topuria as “the subsequent Conor McGregor”, or perhaps a superior version, due to his fighting record, discipline, and skill to galvanize a nation behind him. Unlike McGregor, who never defended his featherweight title, Topuria has already notched a defense against Max Holloway after which moved up to say lightweight gold.
Topuria’s crossover appeal in Spain is fueling a brand new era for the UFC. His fights are actually national events, drawing comparisons to the country’s most beloved sports icons. Dana White has made it clear: “When now we have someone from Spain, we wish to get into Spain… we’d like to get to Spain and figure it out”. The UFC’s expansion into latest markets is being driven by Topuria’s stardom, just as McGregor once opened the doors to Ireland and the UK.
Ilia Topuria’s rise has been meteoric, his achievements historic, and his star power undeniable. With record-breaking TV numbers, a nation behind him, and a resume that now rivals—and in some ways surpasses—Conor McGregor’s, it’s not hyperbole to say that Topuria is the UFC’s biggest star. As Dana White put it, “We’ve got a star on our hands”, and maybe, the most important the UFC has ever seen.