Ilia Topuria is a phenomenon and he showed it again this weekend in the cage. The Hispanic-Georgian defeated Josh Emmett by a resounding unanimous decision in their first headlining fight at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville. He became the first Spaniard to star in a stellar fight for the company. He gave a boxing class, with a great striking and controlled the fight from the beginning against an Emmett who came out to give everything. This victory allows him to continue climbing positions and puts him at the gates of the dispute for the belt, which is currently in the hands of Australian Alexander Volkanovski.
The matador gave a show in Jacksonville. He put up a very smart fight, connecting his hands controlling the distance and shutting out Emmett’s right hand. The Hispano-Georgian’s forecast was to end him in the first round, but the American gave it his all and accepted the blows until the bell rang. “I was hoping to knock him out in the first round, but this guy is very tough. thanks Josh (Emmett) for bringing all that energy into the cage. I couldn’t connect with any of the hooks I throw to the body, which I always set up for this camp. He has been defending it very well, but thank God we have gotten the victory,” Ilia declared after the match.
Topuria fell in love with the American public, who applauded and cheered during the lawsuit. Among them were Spanish soccer stars, such as the Barça player, Ferran Torres, and the former Real Madrid player, Sergio Ramos, accompanied by his wife, the presenter Pilar Rubio. Everyone had their eyes on The Killedr, who did not disappoint and hit the table that brings him closer to his goal: the fight for the title.
Alexader Volkanovski currently owns the featherweight belt. He already targeted Topuria before the fight, assuring that a good victory against Emmett would put him in “the conversation” when asked about rivals to defend his title. After beating Emmett, number five in the division, the Hispano-Georgian reaffirms himself and continues to climb positions on the list. “I want to say, again, that no one can match the level I have in the cage. I do it every time I come in and I have demonstrated it tonight. I am the next man, without any doubt. I deserve it, I am number one to get that title. Let Alex defend that title and let it show up here. Everyone will see that my legacy will begin and theirs will end”, Ilia sentenced.
The Hispano-Georgian, moreover, wants to bring the UFC to Spain. She has previously shown his interest in fighting in front of his people and being able to stage a big event at his house. And it seems that she is getting closer to achieving it. “I don’t think the fight for the belt will be in Spain, unless Volkanovski is too generous and wants to do that. But the 100% defense that will be in Spain ”, he told AS El Matador before facing Emmett. One step closer to the largest mixed martial arts company in the world reaching the national territory.