Comparing fighter records has become the norm in MMA. Everyone has their favorite, and nobody changes their mind easily. But every once in a while, someone comes along with such a ridiculous run of dominance that even the harshest critics have to tip their hats. Ilia Topuria, the Georgian-Spanish phenom is just that. At just 29 years old with a perfect 17-0 record, he is making combat sports analysts scratch their heads and wonder if they’re witnessing something truly special.<\/p>
Luke Thomas, one of the most respected voices in MMA analysis, recently gave his take on Topuria. He claimed that Topuria’s 17-0 record might be the most impressive start to any fighter’s career in modern MMA history!<\/p>
When Thomas broke down Topuria’s resume, the quality of competition jumps off the page immediately. Topuria has now knocked out three future Hall of Famers in a row, having demolished featherweight legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in back-to-back bouts, before adding Charles Oliveira to that list at UFC 317. Most fighters spend their entire careers hoping to face one future Hall of Famer, and Topuria has knocked out three in consecutive fights. That’s not just impressive, that’s almost unfair to everyone else trying to make their mark in the sport.<\/p>
The level of competition Topuria has faced becomes even more remarkable when fans consider his age and experience. At 29, he’s still in his athletic prime, but he’s already facing the absolute elite of two different weight classes. Most fighters at this stage of their careers are still working their way up the rankings, fighting gatekeepers and fringe contenders. Topuria skipped that entire process and went straight to fighting champions and legends. His knockout of Oliveira to capture the lightweight title made him a two-division champion, joining an extremely exclusive club that includes fighters like Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes.<\/p>