Two of Ilia Topuria's former training partners at Kill Cliff FC alleged that the current featherweight champion slept with three sparring opponents at the gym.
Ilia Topuria's power is unprecedented for a featherweight, and recent claims from former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez support the idea that the featherweight titleholder can pack a serious punch in the gym.
Topuria recently became the first fighter to defeat Max Holloway in the UFC 308 main event a few weeks ago. He earned the UFC featherweight title by knocking out another legend, Alexander Volkanovski, at UFC 298, capping his undefeated streak with a world championship.
Earlier in his career, Topuria spent some time at the world-renowned gym Kill Cliff FC, where he trained with some of the brightest minds in the sport. Alvarez and Gilbert Burns, two of the gym's longest-standing stars, recently claimed Topuria knocked out three sparring partners in one day while training at the gym.
One of Alvarez and Burns' teammates has a different take on Topuria's short stint at Kill Cliff FC.
Michael Johnson clears the air on the Ilia Topuria KO myth at Kill Cliff FC
During a recent episode of the Overdogs Podcast, UFC lightweight veteran Michael Johnson addressed the Topuria gym rumors.
“I just came back from surgery, so I couldn't really train with him. He didn't knock out three people, I don't know where that story comes from,” Johnson said of Topuria. “The whole sport of MMA is like one big high school. Cliques here, gossip around… everything and so many stories. But he dropped a lighter guy in our gym, he beat up a few people. But knocking out three people? No.”
At the time of writing, Topuria has not addressed the gym rumors surrounding his time at Kill Cliff FC. He is targeting a move up to lightweight to challenge for double champion status, and could potentially get an immediate title shot at 155 pounds for his next fight.
Topuria has become one of the UFC's biggest draws after showing off some of the wildest finishes in UFC featherweight history. He has knocked out the likes of Bryce Mitchell, Jai Herbert and Ryan Hall during his promotional period.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ilia Topuria's power makes him a UFC legend in just a handful of fights
Knockout stories during sparring sessions are nothing new when it comes to Topuria and some of the best UFC fighters. Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is infamous for his almost daily sparring sessions, including with online trolls and professional boxers.
Topuria's spell at Kill Cliff FC was short, albeit eventful, according to Johnson and his teammates. He trains at the Climent Club gym in Spain under his long-time coaches Jorge and Agustin Climent.
While Topuria's power is a sight to behold, Johnson believes the recent knockout stories have been exaggerated, although it's hard to dispute that Topuria may be knocking out sparring partners after his recent performances.
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