Georgian UFC featherweight fighter Ilia Topuria tells how he dreamed of becoming an Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, but took up mixed martial arts after moving to Spain.
I started out in the sport with Greco-Roman wrestling and my dream was to become an Olympic champion. When my parents decided to move to Spain, I found a gym where I started mixed martial arts and I'm still training today. Mixed martial arts is becoming more popular day by day in Spain, but I'm going to become UFC champion and kick the asses of all the top fighters. After that, MMA will become even more popular in Spain. I want to become one of the brightest stars in the MMA world.
Ilia Topuria exclusively for Telecom Asia Sport
On December 11, the undefeated Topuria will fight in the main card of UFC 282 in Las Vegas against American Bryce Mitchell, who also hasn't lost any official fights.