Ilia Topuria discussed the various jobs he held before making it to the UFC. The featherweight champion worked as a beach attendant servicing lounge chairs, a salesperson in a clothing store, and a security guard. He also worked as a grappling coach before his professional fighting career took off. The revelation provides insight into Topuria's journey to becoming a UFC champion.
Before finding fame inside the Octagon, Ilia Topuria spent time hustling through a string of ordinary jobs far removed from the bright lights of a UFC championship.
In a recent interview, the current UFC champion opened up about the work he took on before his fighting career gained traction. Topuria revealed he worked as a beach attendant setting up lounge chairs, sold clothing in a retail store, and served as a security guard. He also put his grappling skills to use as a coach before committing fully to professional competition.
Topuria, now 29 and representing Spain, has come a long way from those early days. Known as El Matador and currently competing out of Climent Club, he carries a professional record of 17 wins and 1 loss. He holds the number one pound-for-pound ranking in the UFC and sits second in the lightweight division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, he is a relentless offensive presence, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat in any position.
Why it matters
- The story adds human depth to one of the sport's biggest stars, showing the grind behind his rise to the top
- Topuria's background as a grappling coach helps explain the technical versatility that makes him dangerous as both a striker and a grappler
- As the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, any personal insight into his journey draws significant attention from fans and media alike
