“A good coach can change a game, but a great coach can change a life.” For Ilia Topuria, former UFC featherweight champion, those words held deep meaning. Jorge Climent and Agustin Climent weren’t just his coaches—they were the guiding forces who shaped both his fight game and personal journey. But this week, that long-standing bond came to an unexpected end. With just a month to go before his highly anticipated lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, ‘El Matador’ has chosen to go solo. The split marks the conclusion of a remarkable 13-year partnership that began when he was just 15 years old.
In a heartfelt statement, Ilia Topuria acknowledged the role the Climent brothers played in his career: “We thank them for all these years of mutual learning and growth … wish them all the best in all their projects.” His brother, Aleksandre Topuria, also ended his association with the Climent gym, signaling a complete break from the team that had been in their corner since the beginning. Insiders cite the strain of a long-distance setup as the reason, though no official reason was given. Jorge and Agustin Climent operate their gym out of Alicante, Spain, while Topuria now trains in Madrid—about 424 kilometers away.
In the world of MMA, switching camps isn’t uncommon, but the timing of this move—so close to a career-defining bout against a submission specialist like Oliveira—has raised eyebrows. Many view it as a risky gamble at such a critical juncture. Weighing in on the situation, UFC veteran and ESPN analyst Chael Sonnen didn’t mince words. Drawing parallels with legendary athletes across various sports, Sonnen emphasized the irreplaceable value of coaching.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, ‘Uncle Chael’ said: “I’ve never seen anybody in any sport be able to prepare themselves. And I know plenty of people in plenty of different sports that have tried—but everybody… Mayweather has a coach. Mike Tyson has a coach. Serena has a coach. LeBron has a coach. Kobe has a coach. I mean, they—Tiger Woods—they’ve all got a coach.”
Still, the Topuria brothers, determined to make their mark on the world stage, have moved on from their longtime gym. Ilia’s boxing coach, Javi Climent (not connected to Jorge and Agustin Climent) continues to support him, alongside his physical trainer, Dr. Aldo. Even so, stepping away from his longtime mentors means Ilia faces a tough challenge ahead.
However, there are exceptions to the rule, like the Chechnyan middleweight title contender Khamzat Chimaev, who left his camp last year, just one month before his fight with Robert Whittaker, only to reunite with his original coach. Now that Topuria is navigating this journey solo, it’s time to hear Jorge Climent’s side of the story about their split with the UFC star.
Ilia Topuria’s former head coach shares insights on the reasons behind their split
Parting ways without any hard feelings or animosity, the Climent brothers have officially concluded their coaching chapter with Ilia Topuria and his brother. While Ilia had already confirmed the split, what truly stunned fans was its timing—right before his highly anticipated UFC 317 appearance. Set during International Fight Week, UFC 317 represents a potential dream scenario for ‘El Matador’. The featherweight champ is now on the cusp of history, with a shot at the vacant lightweight belt that could crown him a “double champion.”
Yet, despite the significant change in his camp, Jorge Climent continues to back his former protégé, expressing full confidence in Ilia Topuria’s ability to overcome Charles Oliveira—one of the most feared finishers in the division. Addressing the split, Jorge Climent made it clear there’s no drama, just a new reality. Speaking to Submission Radio, the veteran Spanish coach shared:
“He [went] to live [in] Madrid, and I have my own project here with my brother… Ilia [went] to Madrid. He [has] his own gym in his house and he wants all of the energy on him. We don’t work anymore together. He go on his own, and we are in [ours].”
Still, for many fans and pundits, it’s difficult to accept that Ilia Topuria has stepped away from the very coaching team that guided him to dismantle Alexander Volkanovski and shatter the iron chin of Max Holloway. Now, with a dangerous BJJ expert standing in his way, the question looms large: how will Ilia ‘El Matador’ Topuria perform without his longtime head coach in his corner? Stay tuned for more updates as this storyline unfolds.
The post “Mike Tyson Has a Coach” – Ilia Topuria Gets a Hard-Hitting Reminder on Parting Ways With Coach Before UFC 317 appeared first on EssentiallySports.