Ilia Topuria claims he chooses not to wrestle: ‘I really want to give fans a show’

Ilia Topuria has stated he deliberately avoids wrestling despite his grappling background, prioritizing striking exchanges to entertain fans ahead of his lightweight title defense against interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC White House on June 14. The undefeated Georgian-Spaniard's commitment to standing combat is evident in his recent knockout of Max Holloway, whose only UFC knockout loss came at Topuria's hands in 2024. Topuria suggested he could have secured a submission victory over Holloway had he chosen to take the fight to the ground, but believed a knockout delivered a more spectacular spectacle for the audience. His philosophy emphasizes fan engagement and striking-based excitement over the technical efficiency that grappling might offer.