Ilia Topuria plans to be the highest paid fighter in the world in 2025

It’s been just over two months since Ilia Topuria stunned the MMA world by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski with a thunderous right hand, clinching the Featherweight championship. With this triumph, the Spanish fighter finds himself in a position of choice. Leading the pack for the next title shot is Max Holloway, who recently delivered his own remarkable knockout at UFC 300, solidifying his status as a formidable contender.

There are numerous paths he could take for his upcoming bout. Simultaneously, Topuria recognizes that simply holding the championship title is drawing significant attention to his brand.

During a recent interview, Ilia was questioned about his financial goals for 2025. Unsurprisingly, his response exuded confidence: “Look, I can tell you that I have no doubt that in 2025, I will be the highest paid athlete in the world,” Topuria told Webpositer. When told Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make $130 million this year, Topuria promised, “I’ll be there. I’d be surprised if I didn’t do it” and “I have no doubt, really.”