Joe Rogan grants Ilia Topuria’s wish as Spanish superstar makes surprising request on podcast

Ilia Topuria has quickly become one of the UFC’s biggest names, captivating fans with his explosive talent and unbeaten streak. He made history by knocking out both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in the same year, shocking the entire MMA community. Fans were thrilled to see him appear recently on the Joe Rogan Experience, eager for insights and stories to be shared.

During the podcast, Topuria and Rogan discussed a wide range of subjects, including upcoming fights and personal experiences. Their mutual respect was clear throughout the conversation, with Rogan expressing genuine admiration for Topuria’s impressive accomplishments inside the octagon. Topuria later asked about Rogan’s background in martial arts, and both enthusiastically agreed to train together sometime in the future.

Rogan holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Taekwondo, showcasing years of dedication to martial arts training. He began practicing Taekwondo at a young age, eventually becoming a full-contact state champion in Massachusetts multiple times during his youth. Later, he transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under renowned instructors, earning his black belt through consistent discipline and intense daily commitment.

😁🤝Ilia Topuria and Joe Rogan agreed to train together

🎥 @joeroganhq ▫️ pic.twitter.com/4lFPCjqtSk

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 16, 2025

However, Rogan stopped competing after he seriously injured an opponent during a match, which deeply affected him. In his early days, he coached martial arts students to earn money, balancing passion with the need for financial stability. His deep understanding of Jiu-Jitsu helped him become one of the most respected and successful commentators in UFC history.

Ilia, on the other hand, trains alongside his elder brother Alexandre Topuria, maintaining a disciplined and focused approach to his training. He has constructed his own gym, ensuring he has access to everything required for preparation throughout each tough fight camp. Now, the determined fighter looks forward to making his lightweight debut, aiming for a potential shot at the championship title.

Ilia Topuria is aiming for big fights 

Ilia Topuria recently shocked the world by vacating the featherweight championship and moving up to the lightweight division. The undefeated fighter frequently shared his intentions to fight the champion, Islam Makhachev, and nobody else. However, the Dagestani has consistently rejected the idea of fighting the Georgian-Spanish star as it won’t do much for his legacy. 

Due to this, Makhachev has received an array of criticism given his attitude towards fighting anybody at any time. This gave Topuria an opportunity to mock the fighter, accusing him of being scared of the fight. Other than Makhachev, Topuria is also confident about potentially fighting the former UFC double champion, Conor McGregor. 

McGregor and Topuria’s rivalry ignited through online jabs, escalating tension between two explosive and prideful strikers. ‘The Notorious’ mocked Topuria’s accomplishments, calling him unproven and irrelevant, stirring a fire that Topuria responded to with fierce confidence. He promised to humble McGregor in violent fashion, claiming the Irishman’s time had passed and the new era had begun.

Topuria used to be a huge fan of McGregor and often gets accused of copying his style and trash-talking. However, despite his admiration towards the Irishman, Topuria is ready to take the fight and finish McGregor’s hype. Fans eagerly await this potential clash, craving fireworks, heated build-up, and a definitive answer to who truly rules the UFC.

Related: Conor McGregor luxury watch: What are the collections that the Irishman owns?

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