A former hunter sees shades of the large Canelo Alvarez in the striking arsenal of UFC 317 Headliner Ilia Topuria.
This year the Spanish star said goodbye to the featherweight division after a short government as champion.
After Topuria Alexander Volkanovski had eliminated the title in February 2024, the 28-year-old eight months later returned and became the first hunter to put Max Holloway asleep.
That turned out to be the last chapter of his short championship rule on 145 pounds, where 'El Matador' left the throne and focused on the lightweight gold.
Topuria's callouts from Islam Makhachev could not keep the Dagestani its own weight switch, which means that the unbeaten Spaniard will fight against Charles Oliveira for the empty title on UFC 317 instead.
A dream will come out on 28 June. I will be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance … I just fight for my dreams. It is a pity that Makhachev ran away. 17-0 🌹 pic.twitter.com/ysuthz4u2h
– Ilia Topuria (@topuriailia) 13 May 2025
View tweet
Kenny Florian Backs Canelo Alvarez-Sque Ilia Topuria to win the UFC light weight title
During a performance at RJ Clifford's MMA Today Show, former triple UFC-Title-finaler Kenny Florian made his prediction for the next championship fight in his old division.
'Kenflo' chose the side of the favorite and supported Topuria to reach his two-division ambitions in the headlining attack of the International Vechtweek.
Florian explained that choice, pointed to a rare skill that Topuria shares with Canelo – one that has traditionally proved to be the downfall of Oliveira.
“I lean the way of Ilia Topuria,” said Florian. “I do that because I don't see very many boys in mixed martial arts who have controlled that within reach that Ilia has Topuria.
“I often compare his skills in one way or another with Canelo. When Canelo is on point and in the bag, there are few boxers who will be just as devastating in that bag. Ilia Topuria has mastered that range, and I don't think there are a lot of MMA boys who have that.
“Oliveira tends to struggle in that reach. The times he is injured, it is in that reach. Ilia Topuria, he is ruthless in that reach.”
Ilia Topuria wants Canelo Alvarez in a boxing
It is talking about the connection of Topuria with Canelo in recent times has not only surrounded the comparisons between their respective skills.
The boxing challenge of Kamaru Usman for Canelo once stirred the debate, and 'El Matador' also came up with the action in the days that followed on his title win at UFC 298 in 2024.
During an interview on El Partidazo de Cope, Topuria insisted that at least one boxing match is in his future. And if he could choose an opponent, it would be none other than the first and only boxer in history to become the undisputed super middleweight champion.
“I'm not going to leave a sport without boxing. I won't do many fights, but one or two for sure,” said Topuria.
“The one I want the best is Canelo Alvarez.”
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
For the time being, the focus of Topuria on the cage and on his pursuit of an inheritance that leaves him in the discussion about the greatest of all time.
The next obstacle on that trip will be on June 28 in the T-Mobile Arena of Las Vegas, where Oliveira is waiting for him.