Ilia Topuria‘s nickname, ‘El Matador’ means bullfighter, and it is safe to say that the moniker suits him pretty well. Like the famous bullfighters from Topuria’s adopted country of Spain, the soon-to-be-former featherweight champ gets into the Octagon against deadly beasts, whose objective is to hurt him badly. And just like the real bullfighters, Topuria has tamed every beast put in front of him so far in his career.

However, despite the nickname fitting him like a glove, it seems the Spanish-Georgian superstar is going to change his moniker. The champ, of course, has moved up to lightweight for good, hoping to fight 155lbs juggernaut Islam Makhachev next. Alas, the Dagestani champ has rejected the offer. “Islam has not agreed to this fight. He maintains the position that Topuria needs to earn a title shot [at 155].” Russian agency TASS reported a few days back.

And it seems Topuria wants to with a new persona in the (relatively) new weight class. At least that is what the fighter thus far nicknamed ‘El Matador’ has claimed in an X Post. “El Matador has been my ally in every fight. But next time, I’ll step into the octagon with a new identity. #NewEra,” Topuria wrote.

Topuria’s tweet actually also tells us something deeper about him as a man and fighter. Most fighters’ nicknames are just that– a nickname, that hopefully reflects who they are as a fighter. It’s usually not much deeper than that. But for the Spanish-Georgian, who is a big believer in the power of visualization and manifesting your destiny, it seems ‘El Matador’ is a separate entity from Ilia Topuria. An alter ego, if you will.

Many great fighters, such as Mike Tyson (‘Iron Mike’), Ray Leonard (‘Sugar Ray’) have talked about their alter egos, which manifest themselves in a fight, being different from their real selves. They claim this helps them channel the darkest, most violent parts of their personality and helps separate their real selves– which is fallible and mortal– from the dark and unstoppable force they see their alter-ego as. And Topuria seems to be from the same school of thought. Topuria’s aforementioned tweet, of course, raises a very important question.

What or who could be Ilia Topuria’s new ‘identity’

Well, the fact is we have no idea. None at all. But given how much value and importance he seemingly attaches to his in-octagon persona, it is likely to be based around something or someone that either is of great personal significance to the featherweight champ; or something or someone that reflects who or what the Georgia native wants to be seen as.

To find out his new ‘identity’, we will probably have to wait until his next fight. Which brings us to the biggest question the MMA world at the moment- with Islam Makhachev seemingly off the table, who will Ilia Topuria fight next? And there are just a couple of real possibilities.

Since ‘El matador’ hopes to earn a title shot after his next fight, his next opponent has to be someone who is in the title mix at the moment. And there are only three such guys in the 155-pound division at the moment- #1 ranked Arman Tsaukyan, #2 ranked Charles Oliveira, and #3 ranked Justin Gaethje.

One of these three will get the title shot next. At the moment the best candidate for that seems to be Justin Gaethje, whom Makhachev has expressed interest in fighting. Which leaves Tsarukyan and Oliveira, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Dana White and co. announce either of those men as Topuria’s next opponent in the coming days. What do you think about Ilia Topuria’s comments about changing his moniker?