Ilia Topuria has consistently teased a potential future career in the sport of boxing once his UFC career is all said and done.
Ever since growing in star power in the UFC, ‘El Matador’ has teased a future move into the sport of boxing, in an attempt to become a champion in that sport.
That led the Spaniard to a brief feud with one of the greatest boxers of his generation, Terence Crawford, last year, as the two continuously went back-and-forth with each other on social media.
And now, Ilia Topuria has been offered another route into the sport by the undefeated super lightweight champion, Shakur Stevenson.
Shakur Stevenson offers Topuria a route into the sport
Late last year, ‘El Matador’ announced that he would be taking a hiatus from the UFC to deal with pressing family matters.
That left Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett to fight for the interim lightweight title, and after Gaethje dominated ‘The Baddy’, he cemented himself as Topuria’s next title challenger.
Since then, it has become clear that the Spaniard is targeting his return to the cage at the UFC White House, potentially increasing his star power tenfold.
And with the 29-year-old still seriously plotting a move into the world of boxing following his career in the UFC, he has been offered a clash against the super lightweight champion, Stevenson.
The 28-year-old currently holds the Ring Magazine and WBO world super lightweight titles and he is often compared to Floyd Mayweather for being untouchable.
“The skill level (between MMA boxing and boxing) is different,” Stevenson said during a livestream with Adin Ross.
“Tell (Topuria) to come and fight me. I don’t care (if he’s a crazy boxer) tell him to come and fight me,” he continued.
Stevenson recently picked up his 25th professional boxing win, dominating Teofimo Lopez to become the new super lightweight champion.
And although Stevenson fights at 140lbs and lower, it would be a far more even matchup than Topuria vs Crawford.
Shakur Stevenson lands a punch on Teofimo Lopez during their boxing match. Credit: Cris Esqueda Matchroom Boxing
Could Topuria become a champion in boxing?
Although he doesn’t specifically have a background in boxing, Topuria is widely regarded as the best boxer in the UFC.
Despite that, over the years, we have come to learn that MMA boxing and boxing is two different levels, and it is hard to say whether the Spaniard’s skills would transfer to the…
2026-02-11 01:00:00
