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 Sheds ‘El Matador,’ Reveals His New Nickname!

Ilia Topuria ditches his nickname and reveals a new one ahead of his first fight in the lightweight division!

Nicknames in MMA are more than just catchy labels. They are a fighter’s battle cry, their personal brand, and sometimes even a psychological weapon. Ilia Topuria, the Spanish- Georgian sensation who recently conquered the featherweight division, is about to add another chapter to his already legendary story by ditching his old nickname and embracing a new identity that screams confidence.

El Matador has been my ally in every fight. But next time, I’ll step into the octagon with a new identity. #NewEra
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 20, 2025

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Ilia Topuria Changes His Nickname Ahead Of Lightweight

For years, Topuria has been known as ‘El Matador.’ a nickname that had fans imagine Spanish bullfighting and fearless confrontation. But champions evolve, and so do their brands. In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, Topuria revealed his transformation, announcing that he will now have a new moniker.

“It’s always what I say: You need to believe. You need to see to believe. I believe it first, and then I see it. So the nickname that will accompany me in my next fights is going to be ‘La Leyenda.’”

🚨 The moment in Spain when Ilia Topuria announced his new nickname “La Leyenda”

“You need to see to believe. I first believe it, then I see it. So the nickname that will accompany me in my next fight will be ‘The Legend’”

🎥 @diarioas / @Criistinaparra_ pic.twitter.com/cY6OlZWlbq
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) March 25, 2025

‘La Leyenda’ is Spanish for “The Legend.” This isn’t just a random rebranding. It is a statement. After demolishing featherweight icons Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria has proven he is not just another fighter, but a true game-changer in the sport.

The nickname change comes at a pivotal moment in Topuria’s career. Having cleaned out the featherweight division, he is set to move up to lightweight, a weight class that’s been dominated by Islam Makhachev. Topuria mantra behind this change reflects his extraordinary journey from a young fighter in Georgia to a global MMA superstar!

The transition to lightweight isn’t just a weight class change; it’s a statement of ambition. While the division is stacked with talent, Topuria seems laser-focused on making an immediate impact. There are a plethora of opponents that he can face in the division including Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. However, his potential showdown with Islam Makhachev would be more than just a fight, it would be a passing of the torch moment, a chance for a new legend to challenge an established one.

As he prepares for his lightweight debut, fans and fighters alike are watching closely. Will ‘La Leyenda’ live up to his new nickname? If his past performances are any indication, a bet on Topuria to continue writing his own extraordinary story, one legendary fight at a time is a safe option. The lightweight division better be ready as a new force is about to make his mark!

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

Ilia Topuria

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!