Ilia Topuria Reveals New Nickname, Street Named After Him in Toledo

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has made headlines by vacating his title to move up to the lightweight division while unveiling his new nickname, 'La Leyenda' or 'The Legend.' This announcement came during a ceremony in Toledo, Spain, where a street was named after him as part of the city's initiative to become the European City of Sport in 2025. Topuria, who achieved his championship status by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and successfully defended it against Max Holloway, expressed his excitement about the new chapter in his career following his decision to leave the 145-pound category. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Topuria will seek a title shot against current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, although he may need to face a contender first. Meanwhile, Volkanovski will compete against Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314. Topuria's transition reflects his ambition to achieve two-division championship glory in the UFC.