Ilia Topuria is on fire in the UFC. The 28-year-old, with a perfect 17-0 record, became a two-division champion by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round to claim the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, in Las Vegas. Right after, he faced off with Paddy Pimblett in the octagon, igniting their long-standing rivalry. On the Mighty Guru Show podcast, MMA legend Demetrious Johnson compared Topuria to Khabib Nurmagomedov, predicting he could dominate multiple divisions and retire undefeated.
Johnson’s Big Claim
Johnson, one of the greatest fighters ever, didn’t hold back.
“I think he’s a unicorn,” he said on the podcast. “I think you’re gonna see him three or four more times, maybe five, max and he’s going to disappear. Just like, ‘I’m done.’ Undefeated, he could be a potential Khabib. Someone who just leaves the sport. It’s like, ‘I’m done, don’t need to prove anything. I won the belt at ’45, ’55’ and he can fight at 170 too!”
He believes Topuria’s skills could lead to more titles before an early exit.
Demetrious Johnson thinks Ilia Topuria will end his career like Khabib — undefeated and with nothing left to prove.
“I think you’re going to see him 3–4 more times, maybe 5 max, and he’s gonna disappear. Undefeated, he could be a potential Khabib. It’s like, ‘I’m done, don’t… pic.twitter.com/gcXhfzGEEE
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 1, 2025
Born in Germany to Georgian parents and raised in Spain, Topuria joined the UFC in 2020. He tore through featherweight, beating Bryce Mitchell in 2022, Josh Emmett in 2023, and Alexander Volkanovski, whom he knocked out to win the 145-pound title at UFC 298 in February 2024. He vacated that belt in April 2025 due to tough weight cuts and moved to lightweight. His knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October 2024 and Oliveira at UFC 317 made him Spain’s first UFC two-division champ.
Khabib retired in 2020 at 29-0 after submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. He won the lightweight title in 2018, defended it against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Gaethje, and left at 32 after his father’s death, keeping a promise to his mother. His wrestling and mental toughness made him untouchable. Johnson sees Topuria, with his sharp striking and grappling, potentially matching that dominance by winning belts at 155 or even 170.
After Topuria’s knockout of Oliveira with a right hand and left hook, Rogan spotted Pimblett cageside and called him into the octagon for a face-off. The moment, which UFC CEO Dana White called a mistake, saw Topuria shove Pimblett, fueling their rivalry that started in 2021 over Pimblett’s comments about the Russo-Georgian War. Pimblett, ranked No. 8 at lightweight with a 7-0 UFC record, wants to “disfigure” Topuria, while No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan, the backup fighter at UFC 317, called Rogan’s move “WWE” and demanded a title shot.
Topuria’s open to fighting Pimblett or Tsarukyan next, likely in December 2025 in Las Vegas. A Pimblett clash would sell big due to their bad blood, but Tsarukyan’s wrestling could be a tougher test. With 11 UFC fights, Topuria has time to build his legacy. If Johnson’s right, he could exit unbeaten, leaving a mark like Khabib’s.
