A stool connected to Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 — the one he is accused of quitting on during his bout — has become a hot-ticket collector's item, drawing bids exceeding $5,000 at auction. The item has attracted significant attention in the aftermath of the event.
A stool used in Ilia Topuria's corner at UFC Freedom 250 has become an unlikely collector's item, with auction bids surpassing $5,000 following the event's controversy surrounding the Spanish star.
Topuria, nicknamed El Matador, carries a 17-1-0 professional record and currently holds the number-two ranking in the lightweight division, as well as the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter out of Climent Club stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and competes as an orthodox striker. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at a 48 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes — a profile that reflects his reputation as one of the sport's most complete fighters heading into UFC Freedom 250.
The stool in question gained notoriety after Topuria was accused of quitting on it during his bout at the event. The allegation drew immediate and widespread attention, and in the days that followed, a piece of corner equipment transformed into a sought-after piece of fight memorabilia. Bidding has now climbed beyond the $5,000 mark, signaling just how much public interest the incident generated.
Why it matters
- The auction figure reflects the level of public attention the quitting accusation attracted following UFC Freedom 250
- For the pound-for-pound number-one fighter in the world, the controversy carries significant implications for his reputation and divisional standing
- Topuria's ranking at number two in lightweight means any perception of his fighting spirit will be closely scrutinized as he looks to compete at the top of the division
