Ilia Topuria is favored to win Fighter of the Year in 2024 after becoming the first to knock out Max Holloway and defeating former champion Alexander Volkanovski, despite Alex Pereira‘s three title defenses and impressive victories.
In just six months, Alex Pereira seemed a shoo-in for Fighter of the Year in 2024. But wait, Ilia Topuria might have just thrown his hat into the ring.
Saturday night at UFC 308 was electric! Topuria knocked out Max Holloway—first time ever—and defended his featherweight title. Earlier this year, he destroyed Alexander Volkanovski. Matt Brown thinks these wins are enough to crown him Fighter of the Year.
“Alex didn’t knock out three pound-for-pound greats. Ilia knocked out two,” Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “As great as those guys were that Alex fought, they weren’t Holloway or Volkanovski.”
Nobody saw Ilia’s victories coming. If Max and Volk had fought heavier guys, who’d expect them both to get KO’d? Alex did amazing too… It’s just a shame we can’t have two awards.
Pereira’s been busy—three knockouts in 2024 against Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree. Competing thrice in one year? That’s rare for champs!
But Brown insists Pereira’s three defenses pale next to Topuria’s feats against Volkanovski and Holloway.
Topuria might have fewer wins, but his competition level? Unmatched.
“I’m all on the Ilia train for Fighter of the Year,” Brown explained. “Wish we could give something to Alex. What he did was remarkable but it wasn’t Max Holloway and Volkanovski.”
“You’ve got to give it to Ilia. Debate’s settled. Most folks are hopping on that train.”
Brown picked Topuria last Saturday and was wowed by how “El Matador” dismantled Holloway. Even he didn’t expect a knockout within three rounds!
“Leading up to this fight, I said Ilia needed that game-changing shot,” Brown shared. “When he hurt Max, I thought Max would bounce back, but nope!”
Ilia’s precision and strategy were top-notch—some of the best boxing seen in MMA.
Fighter of the Year is a big deal, but Brown believes Topuria’s just getting started.
Taking down two featherweight legends? It’s hard to see anyone at 145 pounds beating him right now.
“That’s what makes Ilia special,” Brown said. “His boxing is stellar, but those subtle setups? High-level stuff! Gets my blood pumping.”
“He’s got Fighter of the Year locked down. Long reign ahead! Still a ways to go to reach GSP or Silva status, but he’s on track.”