"So I want to first finish my story in mixed martial arts, in MMA, and once I finish to make my complete transition to boxing - because I can not be preparing for an MMA fight, then go, prepare for a boxing match, return... I think it would not be very professional, right? Because boxing needs a completely different approach, a very, very, very different training to which I have to adapt."
"Obviously they are different times and come on, it's not an Octagon, it's a ring, and I would have to adapt to it, which takes time, like everything in life. So now, at this moment, in mixed martial arts, when I'm done, I don't think I'm going to be too long, if I'm honest, in this sport... I'll make my transition to boxing and I'm going to surprise more than one."
Ilia Topuria is an undefeated (17-0) UFC lightweight champion known as "El Matador" who fights sparingly and never more than twice a year. Topuria will be on hiatus until summer 2026 for personal reasons. Topuria intends to finish his MMA career before making a full transition to boxing and rejects preparing for both sports at once. Topuria says boxing requires a completely different training approach and adaptation to the ring. Topuria expects the boxing transition to take time and believes he will surprise observers after switching sports.
Read at Sherdog
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