Robert Whittaker Claims Ilia Topuria Ranks as Second Greatest Featherweight

Casey Halston

Published: January 31, 2026 11:49 PM ET

Robert Whittaker Claims Ilia Topuria Ranks as Second Greatest Featherweight

Robert Whittaker has made a bold claim regarding Ilia Topuria’s place in featherweight history. He believes that Topuria is the second greatest featherweight, following the legendary Alexander Volkanovski. This assertion comes in light of the ongoing discussions about the featherweight division’s greatest fighters.

Ilia Topuria’s Impact on Featherweight Division

Though Ilia Topuria has had a brief title reign, his performance in the octagon cannot be overlooked. With a record of 17-0 in MMA and 9-0 in the UFC, Topuria has proven himself against top contenders. In a remarkable feat, he successfully defended his title against Max Holloway, further solidifying his status.

Alec Volkanovski’s Title Defense Record

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has made notable strides in the division. He is currently preparing for his first title defense in a rematch against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 in Sydney. Volkanovski holds an impressive five title defenses in his UFC career, having previously regained his title against Lopes at UFC 314.

Alexander Volkanovski: 27 wins (4 losses), 14 UFC victories.
Ilia Topuria: 17 wins (0 losses), 9 UFC victories.
Max Holloway: 27 wins (8 losses), 23 UFC victories.
Longest consecutive title defenses: Jose Aldo with 7.

Whittaker’s Rankings

Whittaker expressed his admiration for Topuria during the UFC 325 morning weigh-in show. He praised Topuria for dismantling formidable opponents and even moving up a weight class to face new challenges. According to Whittaker, Volkanovski remains at the top of this ranking due to his long-standing dominance.

This debate among fans and analysts is reignited with Aldo now retired and Holloway alongside Topuria competing at lightweight. Volkanovski stands alone in the featherweight division, with the title openly defended against fierce competition.

While the history of the featherweight division is marked with strong contenders and champions, Whittaker’s endorsement of Topuria ensures that discussions about the greatest fighters will continue, further highlighting the competitiveness of the sport.