The UFC has signed a contract with Aleksandre Topuria, UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria’s brother. Topuria took to Instagram to announce the deal, but he didn’t share the details or terms of the agreement.
The 28-year-old Aleksandre is one year older than Ilia but far less experienced as a professional MMA fighter. Aleksandre is 5-1 as a professional despite starting his career in 2015 and he has competed as a featherweight, bantamweight and nearby catchweights.
After beginning his career 2-0, Topuria suffered a KO loss to Ivo Ivanov with the Mix Fight Events promotion in May 2015. Topuria didn’t fight again until December 2021, when he defeated Lucas Tenorio by first-round KO for HDH.
Topuria scored stoppage wins over Alberto Ibanez in 2022 and Johan Segas in May 2023. While Aleksandre has cornered Ilia for multiple fights in the UFC, he will make his debut with the promotion as a fighter when he climbs into the Octagon under the new agreement.
While the details are unknown, it wouldn’t be surprising if Topuria makes his debut in an upcoming episode of the Dana White Contender Series or as a late replacement for someone on a card coming up soon.
A large percentage of fighters entering the UFC are coming through DWCS or as replacements for someone on a card. Experienced, proven, and/or high-profile newcomers can sometimes bypass DWCS.
Robelis Despaigne is 35 and came to the UFC after winning a bronze medal for Cuba in Taekwondo at the 2012 London Olympics. Despaigne’s age, Olympic accomplishments, and eye-popping early KOs made it easy to leapfrog him into the regular roster without a stint on DWCS.
Someone like Topuria would seemingly need to go one of the two routes above to make his mark with the promotion.
As for Ilia, the reigning 145-pound champion has an epic first defense of his title lined up. He will defend his belt against Max Holloway in the UFC 308 main event in Abu Dhabi on October 26.
The main card is so stacked that the pay-per-view portion of the show comes close to rivaling any MMA event this year. Robert Whittaker faces Khamzat Chimaev in a pivotal middleweight fight.
Cyril Gane battles Alexander Volkov in a fight that should position the winner for a title shot. The undefeated Lerone Murphy Jr. faces Dan Ige, and Magomed Ankalaev takes on Aleksandr Rakic.
There is a good chance Aleksandre will corner Ilia for the fight with Holloway, which could be before or after the former makes his promotional debut.
Stay tuned for more information on Aleksandre Topuria’s debut and coverage of DWCS, which will restart on August 13.
