Ilia Topuria has spent the past year establishing himself as one of the premier fighters in the world. After capturing the vacant UFC lightweight title earlier in 2025, he joined a short list of champions who have claimed belts in multiple divisions. But as he steps away temporarily due to personal matters, the 28 year old has revealed a long standing ambition that sits outside mixed martial arts entirely.
Topuria intends to become a professional boxer once he completes his MMA career. He made the declaration in a detailed interview with Marca, emphasizing that he refuses to divide his attention between two sports that demand full commitment.
A Dream Years in the Making
Topuria has spoken before about his admiration for boxing, but his latest comments outline a clear roadmap. He will not dabble in boxing between UFC fights, nor will he attempt a crossover while still holding a championship. Instead, he wants to close one chapter before beginning another.
It is no secret that I have always wanted to try my hand at boxing, Topuria said. But I have always believed that if you try to chase two rabbits, you catch neither.
His reasoning stems from an understanding of how different the two sports are. In boxing, the timing changes. The distance changes. The strategic layers shift entirely. Topuria insists that learning those subtleties requires full immersion, not sporadic training camps.
Ilia Topuria Has Unfinished Business
While Ilia Topuria acknowledged that his MMA career may not extend far into the future, he did not speak like someone preparing to bow out quietly. One of his goals remains capturing a third UFC championship.
Topuria has already begun eyeing welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, describing a potential move to 170 pounds as one of the challenges that excites him most.
That is what is fun. That is where the struggle lies, he said. You never know what is next, but the triple crown is something I can focus on right now.
If he succeeds, Topuria would join the rarest club in UFC history, one defined by athletes who conquered three divisions. Before he shifts to the boxing ring, he wants that legacy sealed.
Time Away Raises Questions About His Next Steps
Originally expected to defend his lightweight title in early 2026, Topuria stepped back due to family concerns. His return date remains flexible, but he made clear that he wants to compete again after April.
This period of reflection has naturally sparked speculation. How long does he intend to stay in MMA? How many more title fights does he envision? Topuria himself admits the future is uncertain.
It depends on many things. It depends on how circumstances develop, he said. We will try to stay active as long as possible.
Even while speaking about the end of his MMA journey, Topuria returned repeatedly to the idea of staying grounded and moving step by step.
Why Boxing Holds Such Appeal
Topuria’s style inside the Octagon has always reflected a strong boxing base. His accuracy, footwork and counterpunching are already among the best in the UFC. But he understands that MMA striking and pure boxing sit on different levels of complexity.
Boxing requires a completely different approach, he said. It is not an octagon. It is a ring. The rhythm is completely different, and I want to adapt to that.
He even hinted that he expects to surprise people once he shifts to the new discipline. For a champion used to climbing steep hills, boxing offers an entirely new mountain.
A Future Split Between Possibility and Purpose
Topuria has become known for absolute self belief, yet his recent comments show a fighter who understands the weight of long term planning. He acknowledges the uncertainty that surrounds any athletic career.
When you think too deeply about the future, that is when doubts and fears appear, Topuria said. So I focus on what is in front of me.
What lies in front of him is twofold: his lightweight title reign and a potential pursuit of two more UFC belts. What lies beyond that is a boxing career he has envisioned for years.
The Road Ahead
Ilia Topuria has reached the point in his career where every decision shapes a legacy. He is already a two division champion, already a proven finisher and already one of the most skilled strikers in the UFC. Now he has made it clear that his ambitions reach far outside the cage.
But he is not done with MMA yet. He has championships to defend, history to chase and challenges still worth pursuing. Boxing will come later. For now, Topuria is focused on the near future, ready to write the final chapters of his MMA story before entering a new arena altogether.
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