Photo by David Benito/Getty Images
How Good Is Ilia Topuria’s Brother?
Ilia Topuria has rapidly become one of the brightest stars in MMA, but few people realize the vital role his older brother, Aleksandre Topuria, plays in his success. While Ilia dominates opponents inside the cage, Aleksandre operates behind the scenes, orchestrating the strategies that have led to his brother’s rise to stardom.
Aleksandre Topuria | Instagram
The Brain Behind Team Topuria
Aleksandre is not just Ilia’s brother—he’s a key figure in his training camp and one of the masterminds shaping Ilia’s career. Described as a tactical genius, Aleksandre works closely with Ilia’s coaches, fine-tuning game plans and ensuring his younger brother stays ahead of the competition.
One of the best attributes that Aleksadre has is his ability to read Ilia’s opponents. That was perfectly shown when Ilia was fighting Alexander Volkanovski for a Featherweight title and between the rounds Ilia’s brother gave him the advice which won him the fight.
Aleksandre told Ilia that Volkanovski keeps his lead hand low after he jabs and that’s the perfect moment for Ilia to explode and to make his attack.
Great job by Aleksandre!
Aleksandre’s Own MMA Journey
What many fans don’t know is that Aleksandre was once a promising MMA fighter in his own right. Early in his career, he showcased impressive skills, particularly in grappling, where his Georgian roots gave him a natural edge. However, a devastating knockout loss in his 3rd pro MMA fight forced Aleksandre to reevaluate his path in the sport. Rather than letting the defeat define him, he made a pivotal decision: to step away from active competition and focus on building Ilia’s career.
This shift has paid off immensely. With Aleksandre at his side, Ilia Topuria became a UFC champion and as their fellow countryman Guram Kutateladze said: “Aleksandre is the brain of the team”.
Photo | WOWFC
Entering the UFC with 5-1 record
You could say that this record is not enough to make a UFC debut and enter the top league. But not in this case. Six years after his KO loss, Aleksandre Topuria came back and won three fights. None of them passed the first round. Same goes for his opponents last three fights.
Aleksandre, responsible for improving Ilia’s striking, will be a dangerous challenge for Colby Thicknesse. But as we all know, the best coaches aren’t always the best winners.
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