Yuza Kereselidze, grandfather of Ilia and Alexander Topuria, shared memories of the brothers' childhood in an interview. He recalled that even at five years old, Ilia would accompany him on 20-30 kilometer bicycle rides and always wanted to continue without rest. Kereselidze described young Ilia as having an attacking mentality and absolute confidence, once claiming he could fly a helicopter if given the chance. The grandfather also shared that Ilia was deeply patriotic even as a small child, once hiding car keys from family friends to try to force them to take him to Georgia. When Ilia won the championship, Kereselidze celebrated by inviting everyone passing by his house in Rustavi to toast his grandson.
Yuza Kereselidze, grandfather of UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, has offered a rare glimpse into the early life of one of mixed martial arts' most celebrated fighters, sharing memories of the Georgian-Spanish star's relentless drive as a young child.
In a recent interview, Kereselidze recalled that even at five years old, Ilia would join him on bicycle rides of 20 to 30 kilometers and never wanted to stop for rest. The grandfather described the young Topuria as possessing an attacking mentality and an unshakeable sense of confidence — one that once led the boy to declare he could pilot a helicopter if given the opportunity. Kereselidze also shared a story of Ilia's deep patriotism from an early age, recounting how the child once hid car keys from visiting family friends in an attempt to force them to take him back to Georgia.
When Ilia eventually claimed championship gold, Kereselidze marked the occasion by opening his home in Rustavi to anyone passing by, inviting neighbors and strangers alike to raise a toast to his grandson.
Why it matters
- Topuria, now 29 and representing Spain, currently holds the number-one pound-for-pound ranking in the UFC and sits second in the lightweight division with a record of 17 wins and one loss.
- The interview adds personal depth to a fighter known for his aggressive style, which is reflected in his 4.81 significant strikes landed per minute and a striking accuracy of 48 percent.
- His grandfather's account of an obsessive, fearless child in Rustavi tracks closely with the attacking approach that has defined Topuria's professional career, including 1.96 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes of action.
