In a new podcast appearance, Ilia Topuria has discussed his career UFC earnings and revealed when he plans to retire from mixed martial arts – as he seeks big fights and major paydays before hanging up his gloves.
The unbeaten Topuria, 28, claimed the UFC featherweight title in February 2024, knocking out long-reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski to do so. Then, in October, he knocked out former champion Max Holloway to retain the belt.
The Spanish-Georgian then vacated the title this February, amid a planned move to lightweight, where he hopes to challenge for a second UFC belt.
And on the PBD Podcast on Friday (11 April), host Patrick Bet-David talked listeners through Topuria’s career UFC earnings, as “El Matador” (or “La Leyenda” as he now wishes to be known) weighed in on the matter.
“One of your first fights, you made $38,500 – 10 October 2020. Then you made $50k, then $75k, then $90k,” said businessman Bet-David, referring to Topuria’s first four UFC bouts: a decision win over Youssef Zalal, and knockouts of Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall and Jai Herbert.
“Then you made $154k with Bryce Mitchell, one of your good friends,” Bet-David joked, “and then you made $200k with Josh Emmett.” Topuria submitted Mitchell in late 2022 and outpointed Emmett in 2023.
"I'll Submit Him" – Ilia Topuria CALLS OUT Islam Makhachev, OPENS UP On Putin & Russia@patrickbetdavid@Topuriailiapic.twitter.com/SXgwZ4t9BW
— PBD Podcast (@PBDsPodcast) April 11, 2025
“Then you made $532k [...] with Volk, then ...
