Does Ilia Topuria have what it takes to reach the incredible heights of stardom like Conor McGregor? At UFC 308, the undefeated ‘El Matador’ made the first successful defense of his 145 lbs. crown. Taking on Max Holloway, Topuria had promised that he’d be the first man to crack ‘Blessed’s legendary chin. And in spectacular fashion, he delivered on his claims with a thunderous third-round knockout that left the MMA sphere stunned.

Now, according to a UFC veteran, Topuria might just have the magic mix of grit, charisma, and skill to go from promising talent to a household name across the globe. But what about Alex Pereira? The Brazilian has been on a spectacular run ever since arriving in the UFC, but Michael Bisping believes that ‘El Matador’ may end up outshining ‘Poatan’.

Michael Bisping claims Ilia Topuria is poised to eclipse Alex Pereira and become the next Conor McGregor

On a recent episode of the ‘Believe You Me’ podcast, Michael Bisping, former middleweight champion and UFC commentator indicated that he sees Ilia Topuria as a fighter not only skilled in the cage but also gifted with a unique flair that could make him a sensation on the world stage. ‘The Count’ stated, “Ilia Topuria now, and this is a wild shout, he is somebody that has all of the ingredients to be the next Conor McGregor, to be the person to reach that level of fame…”

Imagine the UFC filling a Spanish stadium with 100,000 people—Bisping himself thinks Topuria could pull it off. However, when talking about Alex Pereira and his incredible rise to stardom, Bisping revealed, “Pereira’s probably gone bigger than Chuck because the sport’s bigger now but Topuria, because look at the following that he has already. Having people like the king of Spain fly out there, rubbing shoulders with all these high level celebrities.”

The comparison of Chuck Liddell and Alex Pereira is interesting as ‘The Iceman’ was a massive star for the UFC during his prime but wasn’t recognized much outside MMA circles. According to the UFC veteran, Europe is an untapped goldmine of potential UFC fans waiting to be captivated. While the UFC has made small inroads, Bisping stated, “Europe’s a massive continent, Europe has hundreds of millions if not over a billion people and it’s a whole market that doesn’t really understand how great mixed martial arts is you know, and he’s the dude that’s gonna open that door.”

As a fighter, Topuria stands out in a landscape where fans often crave uniqueness as much as skill. Representing both Spain and Georgia, he brings a cultural edge that few others have. Spain, largely untouched by the UFC spotlight, has barely scratched the surface of MMA fever, which could give Topuria the opportunity to singlehandedly light that spark. As Bisping puts it, “That’s why he could be a guy that goes on to become something like a Conor McGregor which is a wild shout, we always said he was a unicorn that will never be replaced and maybe, that’s true. Maybe that’s true but if there’s anyone that we’ve seen in the last couple of generations, Ilia Topuria might be that guy.”

Could Ilia Topuria really be the next Conor McGregor? It remains to be seen, but the two men have already got a feud brewing which has left the MMA sphere buzzing about the prospect of them facing off against one another!

Topuria hands McGregor a chilling warning after UFC 308

Rising star Ilia Topuria isn’t mincing words. After his show-stopping knockout win over former champion Max Holloway at UFC 308, Topuria has earned his place in the spotlight. Yet, even with his monumental victory, one person seemed thoroughly unimpressed: Conor McGregor. Knocking out the legendary Max Holloway is no small feat, and he did it triumphantly.

But McGregor, who shares his own history with Holloway, wasn’t offering any applause. Instead, he took to social media with words that were anything but complimentary. Despite a cryptic tweet suggesting he’s ready for a UFC return, he swiftly downplayed Topuria’s win, calling him a “good little fighter” and “I am that divisions menace. Point blank.”

This didn’t sit well with Topuria. In an interview with ESPN MMA, he fired back by stating, “Bro, you’re f—- sick, you have some problems to fix in your f—- mind. You need to take some classes on respect and how to treat people because you’re going to end up really really bad. When you follow these kinds of values in life you end up really bad.”

From his stunning knockout of Max Holloway to his fiery exchanges with ‘The Notorious’, Topuria is already crafting his legend in the Octagon. With grit, skill, and a personality as sharp as his punches, he’s showing the MMA world that he’s more than just a talented fighter—he’s a showman in the making. As such, Michael Bisping may just be right; Europe’s vast, untapped MMA fanbase might find its spark in ‘El Matador.’

Could Ilia Topuria’s unique blend of Spanish and Georgian pride, combined with his rapid rise, make him the next global UFC icon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!