Ilia Topuria says he is seriously interested in testing himself in professional boxing one day, and he already has a high-profile opponent in mind.
Topuria (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), who is scheduled to face interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in a title unification bout at the UFC’s White House event on June 14, discussed the possibility of crossing over into boxing during a recent interview with Alvaro Colmenero.
While the undefeated UFC star remains focused on his MMA career, he admitted that competing in the boxing ring is something that strongly appeals to him.
“Boxing is definitely something where I say ‘Wow, I’d love to do that’,” Topuria said. “But I’d love to do it with someone big, someone real with an established name. Someone who can add to my resume, which I’ve worked so hard to build. I wouldn’t want to put it in the hands of a nobody just for money.”
During the interview, Colmenero suggested a potential showdown between Topuria and WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia (25-2), an idea that immediately caught the UFC champion’s attention.
“That would be a huge fight, I’d love it,” Topuria said. “I see a fight like Ryan Garcia being very comfortable for me. I think I would break him long before it gets to a judge’s decision.”
Garcia quickly fired back on social media after Topuria’s comments began circulating online, dismissing the UFC champion’s chances in a boxing match.
“You are a damn good striker for MMA, that’s it,” Garcia wrote on X. “You wouldn’t be sipping on tea after our fight, you would be eating thru a straw after our fight. Stay in your lane. I’ll gladly stay in mine.”
Topuria has become one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars following championship wins and a growing reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA. A potential crossover fight with Garcia would likely generate major attention, though there has been no indication that formal talks have taken place.
