How Ilia Topuria changed his approach against Alexander Volkanovski

A technical readout on the Georgian champion

There does seem to be something truly special about Ilia Topuria. To become featherweight champion, one must go through a crucible. But if a fighter does succeed, they become immortal. Think of all the champions the UFC’s featherweight title has seen: Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski. All proven greats. Topuria is new to the title but has that think about him that makes many believe he’s special.

Today, I want to study the Georgian champion a bit more to see what he could be bringing to the table at UFC 308. What makes him special? What are Ilia Topuria’s tendencies on the feet?

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Setting the stage: How Ilia Topuria makes his opponents second guess

Part of what makes Ilia Topuria so effective on the feet is his unpredictability. Topuria is constantly feinting, falsely stepping in as if to strike, and changing where he punches.

As seen above, Topuria keeps stepping in with Bryce Mitchell as if to strike. Mitchell knew that his best path to win is on the ground second guesses when to strike. Not wanting to exchange with Topuria, the step ins cause Mitchell to slow his approach and wait on his moment to go and not get countered.

Added in with head movement, Topuria can create openings to strike.

(1) As Topuria steps in, he will lean to his left. (2) Leaning to his left as an orthodox fighter loads up the lead hook to the body. Should he decide to (3) lean right, the rear uppercut is loaded and ready to fire.

From here, Ilia Topuria will build off of his feints and head movement to land devastating strikes.

An expert in combination punching

Perhaps his best asset, combination punching is Ilia Topuria’s bread and butter. The Georgian will chain three, four, and five punches to land a big blow to hurt his opponent.

In our next example, we can see Topuria (1) weaving and dipping into range with Bryce Mitchell. As he movies his head (2) the right uppercut is loaded up which he (3) throws right up the middle. This loads up the left hook which (4) comes next and is followed up by a (5) right hand.

Ilia Topuria understands the mechanics of striking and isn’t just throwing with reckless abandon. He routinely chains together punches just like this. We will explore more of these types of examples now.

Topuria’s most aesthetically pleasing knockout, even more than Volkanovski, was that of Jai Herbert. Topuria (1) dips to the outside as he jabs and follows up with a right. (2) As Topuria throws the right, the lead left to the body is primed and (3) finds its mark. This causes Herbert to lower his hands and Topuria cleanly (4) lands that right hand up high to turn off Herbert.

This is another punch that Topuria loves. The lead hook to the body causes fighters to lower their guard from up high. In turn, they are providing an opening up high that Topuria intends to exploit.

Another think Topuria does to extend exchanges is getting behind his lead shoulder, or as you may know it, the shoulder roll.

With Josh Emmett, we know a big right hand is coming. (1) Topuria shoots out the jab and pivots around as (2) Emmett throws the right hand as expected. Topuria will get behind that real shoulder and (3) the right glances off that shoulder. This loads up the right hand, like Floyd Mayweather’s pull counter, and (4) Topuria lands it home. He comes behind by extending the change with (5) a left hook and (6) the right hand.

It’s these types of exchanges Topuria loves. But with how crafty Alexander Volkanovski is, Topuria had to tone things down.