Ilia Topuria has undergone a notable physical transformation in anticipation of his return to the octagon.
The fighter, who holds dual Georgian and Spanish nationality, is scheduled to compete for the lightweight championship at UFC 317 in Las Vegas in just over two weeks.
The 28-year-old Topuria is set to face former champion Charles Oliveira for the belt that was recently vacated by the top-ranked fighter, Islam Makhachev.
This upcoming bout marks Topuria`s first since he declared in February that he was relinquishing his featherweight title and moving up to the 155 lbs division.
The skilled striker has utilized the past few months to gain considerable muscle mass and now sports a noticeably more robust physique.
Images of Topuria`s bulkier build caused excitement among MMA fans, with one commenting: “That smirk when you know you’re about to go 17-0 and add another belt to the collection.”
Another fan stated: “He will be a menace at 155.”
And a third added: “Ilia Topuria is looking jacked.”
One user remarked: “My boy looking thicc as f**k.”
Another fan commented: “He`s a real problem at 155. No one else has that KO power in that division except for Charles but it`s not the same as Topuria`s.”
Topuria`s decision to move up to lightweight followed his decisive first and only defense of the 145 lbs title against Max Holloway last October.
He made the transition partly to avoid having to cut over a STONE (approximately 14 pounds or 6.3 kg) to meet the featherweight weight limit.
Topuria`s fight against Oliveira is not only his debut in the lightweight division but also his first bout since parting ways with his long-term coaches, the Climent Brothers.
`El Matador` recently departed from the Climent Club in Alicante, operated by brothers Jorge and Augustin, as he chose to establish his training headquarters in Madrid.
The separation was amicable, as Jorge explained to Submission Radio: “You feel, always, this is not good for the sentimental feeling, but this [is] life.
“We go with him on the journey and now he grow, and he wants to fly away, you know?
“We are very proud to [go as far as we did] with him.
`We are very proud for everything he [has done].
“Of course, we are a little sad, but I want everything in his life [to] continue going well.
“I want all good for him and his brother, and I think that they do the same for us.
“I don’t know what can be in the future.
“We have our own [direction right now] We love him. We love his brother.
“We know he’s going to [beat] everybody that [he fights] because he’s the best.
“Always, he’s going to be like our son.”
Percy Harlow