Ilia Topria has often hinted at the possibility of transitioning to a boxing career once his time in the UFC concludes.
Since rising to prominence in the UFC, “El Matador” has expressed interest in pursuing boxing, with the goal of becoming a champion in the sport.
This ambition led to a brief rivalry last year with Terrence Crawford, one of boxing’s elite fighters, as the two exchanged words via social media.
Now, undefeated super lightweight boxing champion Shakur Stevenson has extended a new opportunity for Topuria to step into the boxing world.
Shakur Stevenson Presents Topuria with a Boxing Opportunity
Late last year, “El Matador” announced he would take a temporary break from the UFC to address urgent family issues.
This development paved the way for Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett to contend for the interim lightweight title. Following Gaethje’s victory over Pimblett, he became the next contender for Topuria’s title.
It has come to light that Topuria aims to return to the octagon at UFC White House events, which could significantly boost his visibility.
At 29 years old, Topuria remains committed to eventually venturing into boxing and has received an offer to face off against super lightweight champion Stevenson.
Stevenson, 28, currently holds the Ring Magazine and WBO super lightweight titles and is often likened to Floyd Mayweather for his exceptional skills.
“There’s a big difference in skill between MMA boxing and professional boxing,” Stevenson said during a livestream with Adin Ross. “Tell (Topuria) to come fight me. I don’t care if he’s a tough boxer — tell him to come fight me.”
Stevenson recently notched his 25th professional win by defeating Teofimo Lopez to claim the super lightweight crown.
Although Stevenson competes at 140 pounds, the matchup with Topuria would likely be far more balanced than the earlier Topuria-Crawford confrontation.
Could Topuria Become a Boxing Champion?
While Topuria lacks formal boxing experience, many consider him the best striker inside the UFC.
However, it’s clear over time that MMA striking and pure boxing are distinct disciplines, so it remains uncertain how well his skills will adapt inside the boxing ring.
Fan Take:
This potential crossover excites fight fans because it challenges the traditional boundaries between MMA and boxing, offering a rare opportunity to see how elite UFC striking translates to the squared circle. If Topuria succeeds, it could inspire more crossover bouts and elevate both sports by blending their fan bases.
