If you’ve been watching the UFC lately, you know it’s basically become the Ilia Topuria show. The guy just doesn't lose. But as he continues to dismantle legends and claim belts in multiple weight classes, people keep asking the same thing: how old is Ilia Topuria and how on earth did he get this good so fast?
Honestly, the numbers are a bit staggering. As of right now, in early 2026, Ilia Topuria is 28 years old.
He was born on January 21, 1997. If you're doing the math at home, he just celebrated his 29th birthday. It’s kinda wild to think that a guy who hasn't even hit 30 yet is already a two-division champion and sits near the very top of the pound-for-pound rankings. Most fighters are still figuring out their footwork at 28, but "El Matador" is already cementing a legacy that looks like it belongs to someone with a decade more experience.
The Timeline of a Young Phenom
To really understand why his age matters, you have to look at where he started. Topuria wasn't some late bloomer who found MMA in his 20s. He’s been a "combat athlete" basically since he could walk.
He was born in Halle Westfalen, Germany, but his roots are 100% Georgian. When he was about seven, the family moved back to Georgia. That’s where the real work started. In Georgia, wrestling isn’t just a sport; it’s a way of life. He started training in Greco-Roman wrestling at a local school alongside his brother, Alexsandre.
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- Age 7: Began Greco-Roman wrestling in Georgia.
- Age 15: Moved to Alicante, Spain. This was the turning point.
- Age 18: Made his professional MMA debut (April 2015).
- Age 21: Became the first Georgian to earn a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- Age 23: Signed with the UFC and made a massive statement against Youssef Zalal.
By the time he was how old is Ilia Topuria when he won his first UFC belt? He was only 27. He knocked out the legendary Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024 to take the featherweight crown. Most people thought it was too early for him. They were wrong.
Why 28 is the Danger Zone for Topuria's Opponents
Sports scientists often talk about the "prime" of a fighter. For most, that window opens around 29 and stays open until about 33. Ilia is literally just walking through the front door of his physical peak.
Think about that for a second. He’s already beaten Max Holloway (at 27) and Charles Oliveira (at 28). He recently moved up to lightweight and secured the title there too, making him a double-champ before hitting 30. Usually, when a fighter achieves this much this young, they’ve taken a lot of damage. But Ilia is different. He’s hardly been touched.
His "combat age"—which is how much wear and tear a fighter has—is remarkably low. He isn't some bruised veteran hanging on by a thread. He's fresh, he’s fast, and he’s arguably the most technically proficient boxer in the UFC right now.
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What Most People Get Wrong About His Background
Because he represents Spain so heavily, a lot of casual fans assume he’s a native Spaniard. He actually didn’t move to Alicante until he was 15. Before that, his life was all about that rugged Georgian wrestling culture.
The mix is what makes him so dangerous. He has the "don't-break-me" mentality of a Georgian wrestler and the flashy, high-level striking that he honed at the Climent Club in Spain. He’s basically a laboratory-created super-soldier for the octagon.
There's also this misconception that he's just a "knockout artist." While he’s been starching everyone lately—including that terrifying KO of Holloway—half of his early wins were by submission. The guy is a BJJ black belt who happens to have bricks in his gloves.
What’s Next for the 28-Year-Old King?
Now that he’s 28 and holding the lightweight strap, the question isn't whether he can win, but who is left to fight. He’s already expressed interest in moving up even further or taking on cross-promotional "super fights."
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He’s currently planning a return in late spring or early summer of 2026. Given his age and his current trajectory, we are likely looking at the prime years of one of the greatest to ever do it. If he stays healthy, he could easily compete at this level for another five or six years.
Actionable Insights for MMA Fans:
- Track the 155-lb Division: Now that Topuria has moved to lightweight, keep an eye on how his speed translates against the bigger guys like Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan.
- Watch the Climent Club: Ilia’s brother, Alexsandre, is also in the UFC and is a serious prospect. The "Topuria genes" are the real deal.
- Don't bet against the age gap: Whenever Ilia fights someone in their mid-30s, his recovery time and explosive speed will almost always be the deciding factor.
Topuria is the rare athlete who actually lives up to his own hype. At 28, he’s already done what most Hall of Famers take a lifetime to achieve. We aren't just watching a champion; we're watching the peak of a generational talent.