“The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will”–a legacy that UFC megastar Conor McGregor built during his brief UFC journey. It’s been almost four years since the Irishman, the former two-division champion, was last seen inside the Octagon. His final fight, a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, ended in a major setback when McGregor broke his leg. Since then, ‘The Notorious’ has been on a continuous hiatus, with no signs of returning soon.
This has sparked one of the most frequently asked questions in the sport: Who is the next Conor McGregor? It’s a question that’s on everyone’s mind, but not easy to answer. Meanwhile, emerging new-generation fighters like Paddy Pimblett, Sean O’Malley, and Ilia Topuria—all around the same age—have been making waves in the UFC. Yet, none have matched the meteoric rise of ‘El Matador’. Undefeated and having won the featherweight title in such a short UFC stint, the Georgian export’s career trajectory closely mirrors that of ‘The Notorious.’
Following in Conor McGregor’s footsteps, Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight title to move up to the lightweight division. This move has led many to label him a “copycat” of the Irishman. However, according to Topuria, he is “more handsome, richer, and a better fighter” than McGregor. Former UFC and Bellator fighter Yoel Romero recently reignited the comparison between the two. On a podcast with fellow former Bellator fighter Gaston Reyno, the host asked, “Who is the next Conor McGregor?”
Yoel Romero immediately named “Ilia Topuria”, and Reyno nodded in agreement. Conor McGregor never defended his title “once” at 145lbs, whereas ‘El Matador’, in his meteoric rise, defeated top fighters like Alexander Volkanovski. At UFC 298, Topuria displayed his striking skills with a combination of punches. But the action didn’t stop there. In October 2024, at UFC 308, Ilia Topuria knocked out Max Holloway in his first title defense, destroying Holloway’s “granite chin” inside the Etihad Arena. The Georgian-Spanish even mocked Holloway’s own technique from UFC 300, a move that was praised by Gaston Reyn.
Reyn described Topuria’s approach: “He pointed to the center, and Max didn’t want to go there. So, he went and knocked him out.” His daring move showcased ‘El Matador’s potential to surpass Conor McGregor, prompting a former UFC vet to ask: Could Ilia be a superior version of ‘The Notorious’?
Is Ilia Topuria a better version of Conor McGregor?
As Conor McGregor gained fame in the sport, his controversial status grew alongside it. His public feuds and altercations, both within and outside the promotion, cast a long shadow over his career. But things took a darker turn when the Irishman became tied to d–gs, alcohol, and controversial behavior. Despite these struggles, McGregor’s wealth continued to soar—his financial empire expanded, partly thanks to ventures like his Proper No. Twelve whiskey. However, this surge in wealth might have eventually played a role in his downfall.
The situation reached a breaking point last year, when the Dublin High Court ruled ‘The Notorious’ liable in an assault case, resulting in even more shame and backlash from both the sports and business communities. In the midst of Conor McGregor’s turmoil, Ilia Topuria has quietly carved his own path in the sport, rapidly gaining recognition. Representing both Georgia and Spain, ‘El Matador’s rise has been remarkable. Chael Sonnen, reflecting on Topuria’s potential, recently pointed out why he believes Ilia is the superior version of the Irishman.
Sonnen explained, “Conor attracts people because of his walk and swagger, but Ilia has that badass nature and also the good guy route. This guy is a rocket ship because your mom could like him, your girlfriend could like him, and your friends can like him. Whereas Conor McGregor is way more polarizing.”
What do you think about Yoel Romero’s comments? Is Ilia Topuria the next Conor McGregor, or is he a better version of ‘The Notorious’, as Chael Sonnen suggested? Share your thoughts below.
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