Dana White played as Ilia Topuria in the UFC 5 video game against blogger Adin Ross, who chose Arman Tsarukyan. Topuria was knocked out in the game, forcing White to apologize to Ross. The match was part of content creation with the popular streamer. This gaming session highlights the ongoing promotional efforts around the upcoming Topuria vs Tsarukyan title fight.
UFC president Dana White found himself in an awkward spot during a recent content session with popular streamer Adin Ross, losing a UFC 5 video game match while controlling lightweight contender Ilia Topuria — and ending up having to apologize to Ross for the in-game defeat.
White selected Topuria for the matchup, while Ross opted for Arman Tsarukyan. The virtual bout ended with White's Topuria getting knocked out, prompting a lighthearted apology to the streamer. The session was part of broader promotional content tied to the real-world lightweight title fight between the two fighters.
Topuria, nicknamed "El Matador," carries a 17-1-0 record and competes out of Spain under Climent Club. The 29-year-old currently sits at number two in the lightweight division and holds the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, he lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and attempts nearly two takedowns per fifteen minutes of action.
His opponent in the impending title fight, Arman Tsarukyan, owns a 23-3-0 record and holds the number one lightweight ranking. Also 29 years old, the Russian fighter trains out of American Top Team and matches Topuria in height at five-foot-seven, though he holds a three-inch reach advantage at 72 inches. Tsarukyan lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute with 50 percent accuracy and is notably active on the ground, averaging 3.26 takedown attempts per fifteen minutes.
Why it matters
- The gaming session keeps the Topuria vs. Tsarukyan lightweight title fight in the public conversation ahead of the event.
- Topuria is the pound-for-pound number one fighter, making a virtual loss for his avatar a rare and attention-grabbing moment.
- The top two lightweight contenders present a closely matched stylistic puzzle, with Tsarukyan's grappling volume against Topuria's well-rounded attack.
