As Joe Rogan often proclaims, “MMA is high-level problem solving with dire physical consequences.” Every fighter faces a puzzle with each opponent bringing a unique style, a different set of strengths and weaknesses to the Octagon. For Ilia Topuria, the first puzzle he had to solve this year was Alexander Volkanovski, the former featherweight champion.

Since ripping the title from Max Holloway at UFC 245 in 2019, the Australian had looked virtually unbeatable in the featherweight division. So how did ‘El Matador’ manage to finish ‘The Great’ with a thunderous KO at UFC 298? It all began in his corner, where the whispers of strategy turned into a fight-ending sequence for the Georgian. The mastermind behind it all? His brother, Aleksandre Topuria!

Ilia Topuria reveals how his brother Aleksandre helped him become a champion  

In a recent clip shared on X by ‘Home of Fight’, Ilia Topuria broke down how he managed to find the shot that won him the coveted UFC gold. The champion stated, “After the first round, when I went to the corner, my brother told me, work on the counter on his (Volkanovksi’s) jab.”

This wasn’t just advice; it was a spark of clarity amidst the storm. In between rounds, his brother Aleksandre Topuria could be heard telling him in the video, “His left arm is set quite low. He puts his left arm here. Once you start, cut his distance a bit if it is possible. Continue with your right arm, return to your initial position. Don’t stay there.”

This small detail opened a window of opportunity, one that ‘El Matador’ wasn’t going to ignore.  As he resumed the battle in the second round, the tension in the Octagon thickened and the contender noticed something. What was it? He explained in the video, “The second round, he started to slow down a little bit.”

With renewed determination, Ilia stepped back into the fray. His corner’s strategy was clear: cut the distance and return to position quickly. “When he moves towards you, add more pressure, Ilia,” they urged. This is what highlights an elite fighter’s mindset, instead of getting lost in the heat of the battle, a calm and collected Ilia explained, “He threw me a jab, I did a 4-punch combination, like 1, 2, 3, 4, boom! Game over my friend, it’s game over.”

And just like that, the crown slipped onto Ilia Topuria’s head, and he became the new king of the featherweights. But all of this wouldn’t be possible without Aleksandre’s keen tactical advice and strategy. As Guram Kutateladze, Ilia’s Topuria’s training partner and UFC fighter explained, “He has big trust in his team and his brother Aleksandre that is in my opinion Mr. Brainiac of the whole team.”

Now, as Ilia Topuria gears up for his first title defense against Max Holloway at UFC 308, he’s also pointed out that it’s this analytical side of him and his team that may give him an edge over ‘Blessed’!

‘El Matador’ is ready to unravel Holloway’s game plan at UFC 308  

In the heart of Abu Dhabi, two titans will clash at UFC 308. The reigning UFC Featherweight Champion, Ilia Topuria, will defend his title against the former champ, Max Holloway. With ‘El Matador’ putting his gold on the line, all eyes are on whether he can hold his ground in his first-ever title defense. But while the world buzzes about Holloway’s potential comeback, Topuria believes he already holds the upper hand.

What’s his secret weapon? In a recent interview with former ‘champ-champ’ Daniel Cormier, Topuria explained, “I know about my power, my skills, my technique, my fight IQ. He’s been saying that I don’t have fight IQ. Come on, I’m the world champion, you’re the challenger. You have seven professional defeats, I have zero.”

In his eyes, every loss Holloway has suffered is a crack in the Hawaiian’s supposed fight IQ. It’s a bold statement, but can he back it up? With an undefeated record and a corner as sharp as his, Topuria’s faith in his fight IQ could may as well turn out to be the key to his victory. The chess match between these two featherweight titans will push them both to their limits. And in the end, only one can claim to be the true featherweight king. So, who will solve the puzzle first? Holloway or Topuria? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!