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Ilia Topuria describes emotions before first professional MMA fight

UFC champion Ilia Topuria said he nearly stayed backstage before his 2015 debut. The Spaniard described feeling alone and unprepared moments before walking out.

yardbarker.com
1 source·May 28, 5:00 PM(1 day ago)·1m read
Ilia Topuria describes emotions before first professional MMA fightyardbarker.com
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Ilia Topuria said he was so scared before his first professional MMA fight that he nearly stayed backstage. The fighter made the comments during a recent appearance on the podcast DeepCut with Vic Blends. Topuria recalled thinking he had not studied enough and wondering why he was there.

He added that he felt motivated at the same time. The bout took place in 2015. Topuria submitted Francisco Javier Asprilla with a triangle choke after three and a half minutes.

Current standing Topuria remains undefeated at 17-0.

Nine of those wins have come inside the UFC, where he holds titles at two weight classes. He is scheduled to face Justin Gaethje on June 14 in a title-unification bout at the White House.

Key Facts

17-0 record
Topuria's professional MMA mark
2015 debut
Triangle-choke submission of Asprilla
June 14, 2026
Title-unification bout vs. Gaethje

Story Timeline

4 events
  1. 2015

    Topuria submitted Francisco Javier Asprilla in his pro debut.

    1 sourceyardbarker.com
  2. June 2025

    Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira to win a second UFC title.

    1 sourceyardbarker.com
  3. May 28, 2026

    Topuria described his pre-fight nerves on DeepCut with Vic Blends.

    1 sourceyardbarker.com
  4. June 14, 2026

    Topuria is scheduled to face Justin Gaethje at the White House.

    1 sourceyardbarker.com

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score70%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count121 words
PublishedMay 28, 2026, 5:00 PM
Bias signals removed2 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Editorializing 1Amplifying 1

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