Ilia Topuria is currently known as one of mixed martial arts` most formidable forces, maintaining an undefeated record and holding championship gold in the sport`s premier organization, the UFC. His ascent has been marked by dominant performances and clinical finishes, painting a picture of a fighter on an almost flawless trajectory.
However, a look back at his earlier career reveals a unique chapter – a moment where Topuria secured a definitive victory in a title fight but walked away without the coveted belt. This peculiar incident occurred during his time with Cage Warriors, a respected European promotion that has served as a significant proving ground for future UFC stars.
The event in question was Cage Warriors 94, held in Antwerp, Belgium, in June 2018. A vacant Bantamweight title was on the line, previously held by Nathaniel Wood before his transition to the UFC. Topuria, who typically competed in the Featherweight division (145 lbs), accepted the challenge to drop down to the 135 lb Bantamweight limit to face Brian Bouland for the championship.
Weight cutting in mixed martial arts is a notoriously difficult aspect of the sport, demanding rigorous discipline and physical strain. For Topuria, making the Bantamweight limit proved to be an insurmountable hurdle on this occasion. Despite his efforts, he missed weight, hitting the scale at 139.4 lbs – nearly five pounds over the championship threshold.
Under the rules governing such situations, the fight was still permitted to go ahead. However, the title`s eligibility was restricted. Only his opponent, Brian Bouland, would be awarded the championship belt if he emerged victorious. For Topuria, a win would simply add to his record, but the primary prize would remain out of reach.
Despite this significant setback before the fight even began – the knowledge that his hand could be raised but the title would not be strapped around his waist – Topuria did not let it deter his performance. When the cage door closed, he showcased the skills that would eventually take him to the top of the sport.
The bout was swift and decisive. Topuria wasted no time engaging Bouland, demonstrating superior grappling control. He quickly gained a dominant position, working towards a finish. It took him less than two minutes into the first round to secure a tight anaconda choke. The submission was deep and effective, rendering Brian Bouland unconscious, bringing the fight to an immediate halt.
It was a clinical, dominant victory – a first-round submission win in a championship contest. Yet, due to the pre-fight weight miss, the Cage Warriors Bantamweight title remained vacant. Ilia Topuria had won the fight convincingly, demonstrating his championship-level skills, but the belt itself eluded him on that night. The title would eventually be claimed by Jack Shore later that year.
This unusual episode serves as a fascinating footnote in the career of a fighter who has since become synonymous with perfection inside the cage. It highlights the critical, and sometimes unforgiving, role that successful weight management plays in the sport, even for athletes of Topuria`s caliber. A technical misstep outside the fight itself can indeed overshadow a flawless performance within it, resulting in a victory without the ultimate reward.
