Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria celebrates his championship victory against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Ilia Topuria Praises Lionel Messi As The Best, Teases Another Sports Icon He Wants To Meet!

UFC Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has nothing but praise for Lionel Messi; wants to meet another sports legend face to face!

Every athlete has heroes who inspired them to chase greatness. These role models often come from completely different sports but share the same relentless pursuit of perfection. For combat sports stars, finding inspiration outside the cage or ring isn’t unusual at all.

Ilia Topuria recently opened up about the two athletes who have always captured his imagination. The UFC lightweight champion revealed that meeting these legends would fulfill some of his deepest dreams. One of those dreams has already come true, while the other remains on his bucket list. His choices show just how much he appreciates excellence across all sports, not just mixed martial arts.

Lionel Messi Gets the Ultimate Recognition From ‘El Matador’

Topuria didn’t hold back when talking about Lionel Messi. Talking to Diario AS, the UFC champion considers the Argentine soccer legend the best to ever compete. Coming from someone who has reached the pinnacle of MMA, that’s serious praise. Topuria has already had the honor of meeting his idol, and the experience clearly left a lasting impact on him.

“I’m always trying to follow in his footsteps, I don’t have to invent anything new. This man [Messi] has been the best in the world, hugely admired, incredibly inspiring, extremely motivating.”

🥊🇬🇪🇪🇸 Ilia Topuria (UFC Lightweight champion): "I want to be like Messi. Apart from being the legend he is, the truth is that he’s an excellent person, and what he conveys, that calmness, that peace, that closeness is what I’ve always admired about him.

"I’m always trying to… pic.twitter.com/QO4oP941q2
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 6, 2025

The respect between these two athletes runs deeper than just mutual admiration. Both men represent their countries on the biggest stages while carrying the pressure that comes with being champions. Messi has dealt with the weight of Argentina’s expectations for over a decade, just like Topuria now carries the hopes of both Spain and Georgia into every fight. They understand what it takes to perform when millions of people are watching and counting on you.

Meeting Michael Jordan Remains On Ilia Topuria’s List

The second athlete on Topuria’s dream list is basketball legend Michael Jordan. This choice makes perfect sense when fans consider what Jordan represents in the world of sports. He idn’t just dominate basketball; he changed how people think about winning and mental toughness. For a fighter like Topuria, Jordan’s mindset probably resonates on a deeper level than most people realize.

Jordan’s influence extends far beyond the basketball court and into every competitive arena. His refusal to accept anything less than victory became legendary during his Chicago Bulls days. That same killer instinct shows up in Topuria’s fighting style, where he is never satisfied with just winning but always seeks to dominate. Both men share that rare ability to elevate their performance when the stakes get highest.

UFC Champion, Ilia Topuria: "Lionel Messi is the only person with Michael Jordan I'd ever ask for a photo to. We have talked about a lot of things, he congratulated me for my championship and I invited him to my next fight." @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/jD176psjA4
— MessiMania (@M10Update) April 18, 2024

Meeting Jordan would complete Topuria’s personal Mount Rushmore of athletic greatness. The basketball icon represents the perfect blend of skill, determination, and clutch performance under pressure. These are qualities that every fighter needs to succeed at the highest level. The UFC champion’s desire to meet Jordan shows his appreciation for greatness across all sports. It’s not about basketball specifically but about recognizing someone who redefined what it means to be a champion!

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Lionel Messi

Michael Jordan

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!