Watch jacked Ilia Topuria complete epic UFC 317 body transformation after ditching crash diet to lose over 40lbs
The former featherweight king used to cut over a stone of weight
WEIGH TO GO Watch jacked Ilia Topuria complete epic UFC 317 body transformation after ditching crash diet to lose over 40lbs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
ILIA TOPURIA completed an epic body transformation at the official UFC 317 weigh-ins.
The former king of the featherweights will bid to claim the vacant lightweight title early on Sunday morning in the main event of the International Fight Week card in Las Vegas.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
Ilia Topuria weighs in at 155lbs for his #UFC317 clash with Charles Oliveira pic.twitter.com/0ERijagOX8 — Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) June 27, 2025
4
Ilia Topuria returns to the octagon this weekend in the main event of UFC 317
Credit: GETTY
4
Topuri will be fighting for only the second time at lightweight in the UFC
Credit: Getty
4
He looked lean and mean on the scales this evening after completing a dramatic body transformation
Credit: GETTY
Topuria, 28, announced his move up to 155lbs in February after growing tired of the gruelling cut down to 145lbs.
The Georgian-born Spaniard has been sporting a much more muscle-bound frame over the last few months.
And he looked in incredible shape as he hit the scales at the official weigh-ins at the UFC Apex this afternoon.
'El Matador' looked lean and mean as he hit the lightweight championship mark of 155lbs for the first time.
READ MORE ON TOPURIA
FIGHTING TALK Watch Topuria and Oliveira have heated conversation during UFC 317 face off
Topuria used to cut over a STONE in weight to make the featherweight title fight limit, and the gruelling cut played a big role in his decision to leave the belt he won last February.
He told ESPN Deportes: 'In that moment [when cutting weight], I'm so low.
"I feel terrible… I didn't want to suffer anymore…
"It's like living in the desert, and I wanted to live on the beach.'
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
4
Iia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will vie for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317
Credit: GETTY
Standing between Topuria and a second UFC title is former lightweight champion and fan favourite Charles Oliveira.
Topuria has immense respect for 'Do Bronx' but plans to brutally knock him out to fulfil his dream of becoming a two-division champion.
Ilia Topuria Trains For UFC 317 Clash With Charles Oliveira
He said: "Charles is a great fighter.
"I'd say he's a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC.
"But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to sleep in the first round.
"Because he has no mobility, he doesn't move."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
10 minutes ago
- Scotsman
‘Don't know how funny that gag is' – Sione Tuipulotu laughs off ‘Aussie' dig
Sione Tuipulotu of the British & Irish Lions is tackled by Dylan Pietsch tackles during the tour match against Western Force at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. (Photo by) Scotland centre shrugs off stadium announcer's jibes Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Sione Tuipulotu insists the British and Irish Lions must continue to shrug off any provocation during their tour of Australia after their overseas-born contingent were attacked by the Tannoy announcer at Optus Stadium. Tuipulotu, one of eight players in Andy Farrell's squad who were born, raised and educated in the southern hemisphere, was among those caught in the crosshairs before Saturday's 54-7 rout of Western Force. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Another Aussie at number 12, Sione Tuipulotu,' was how the Scotland centre was introduced when the team was read out for the Lions' opening match on Australian soil. Sione Tuipulotu, wearing a Western Force jersey, takes a selfie with the fans after the Lions' win in Perth. (Photo by) Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Pierre Schoeman were also referenced by the nation of their birth rather than their adopted country, for whom they have qualified either through residency or family heritage. It continued a theme from the hosts that began when Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt described Tuipulotu and New Zealand-born Ireland international Bundee Aki as a 'southern-hemisphere centre partnership' in the build-up to the defeat by Argentina in Dublin. Tuipulotu emphasised the words 'good humour' when brushing aside the jibes that he expected on his return Down Under. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I knew there would be some 'good humour' coming back home to Australia. These are all things we've got to take in our stride,' he said. Sione Tuipulotu has shrugged off jibes by the announcer at Optus Stadium. (Photo by) 'To not announce the elephant in the room, I am from Australia. I was born here. I don't know how funny that gag is to everyone! 'I'm loving my rugby playing for the Lions and I'm really passionate about it. Andy's brought the group together so well.' The victory in Perth exposed several shortcomings such as a high penalty count and creaking set-piece, but there was also much to admire in the attacking exuberance that produced eight classy tries. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tougher tests than the Force await on tour but combined with the evidence gathered from the Aviva Stadium eight days earlier, Farrell's Lions are clearly keen to keep the ball alive – and on this occasion the passes stuck. Finn Russell was at the heart of onslaught in his first outing of the tour and the Scot's instinctive play drew approval from Farrell, who declared: 'He's ready to go. And that's good.' Tuipulotu, who expects to be firing by the Test series as he continues his comeback from a significant ankle injury, said: 'We're taking ideas from all the nations. 'Obviously, the coaching style is very Ireland dominant and there are a lot of ideas that we're getting from the Irish coaches, but then those ideas are being sprinkled on. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'When Finn comes in, he plays his style. He plays to the structure of the team, but he's a very instinctive player and he wants to play what's directly in front of his face. 'There's a mixture there and that's what's going to make it hard to defend for opposition teams. 'They're not necessarily defending a structure of play, they're defending a structure of play with really supreme individuals conducting it like Finn. 'Finn's a world-class number 10 and he's been here, been there, done that. He's come off a really good season after winning the Premiership with Bath and I thought him and Tomos Williams controlled the game really well.
Rhyl Journal
18 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Don't know how funny that gag is – Sione Tuipulotu laughs off ‘Aussie' dig
Tuipulotu, one of eight players in Andy Farrell's squad who were born, raised and educated in the southern hemisphere, was among those caught in the crosshairs before Saturday's 54-7 rout of Western Force. 'Another Aussie at number 12, Sione Tuipulotu,' was how the Scotland centre was introduced when the team was read out for the Lions' opening match on Australian soil. Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Pierre Schoeman were also referenced by the nation of their birth rather than their adopted country, for whom they have qualified either through residency or family heritage. It continued a theme from the hosts that began when Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt described Tuipulotu and New Zealand-born Ireland international Bundee Aki as a 'southern-hemisphere centre partnership' in the build-up to the defeat by Argentina in Dublin. Tuipulotu emphasised the words 'good humour' when brushing aside the jibes that he expected on his return Down Under. 'I knew there would be some 'good humour' coming back home to Australia. These are all things we've got to take in our stride,' he said. 'To not announce the elephant in the room, I am from Australia. I was born here. I don't know how funny that gag is to everyone! 'I'm loving my rugby playing for the Lions and I'm really passionate about it. Andy's brought the group together so well.' The victory in Perth exposed several shortcomings such as a high penalty count and creaking set-piece, but there was also much to admire in the attacking exuberance that produced eight classy tries. Tougher tests than the Force await on tour but combined with the evidence gathered from the Aviva Stadium eight days earlier, Farrell's Lions are clearly keen to keep the ball alive – and on this occasion the passes stuck. Finn Russell was at the heart of onslaught in his first outing of the tour and the Scot's instinctive play drew approval from Farrell, who declared: 'He's ready to go. And that's good.' Well done, dad 👍🫶#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 28, 2025 Tuipulotu, who expects to be firing by the Test series as he continues his comeback from a significant ankle injury, said: 'We're taking ideas from all the nations. 'Obviously, the coaching style is very Ireland dominant and there are a lot of ideas that we're getting from the Irish coaches, but then those ideas are being sprinkled on. 'When Finn comes in, he plays his style. He plays to the structure of the team, but he's a very instinctive player and he wants to play what's directly in front of his face. 'There's a mixture there and that's what's going to make it hard to defend for opposition teams. BEAUTY 🤩 Watch every match live on @SkySports. #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 28, 2025 'They're not necessarily defending a structure of play, they're defending a structure of play with really supreme individuals conducting it like Finn. 'Finn's a world-class number 10 and he's been here, been there, done that. He's come off a really good season after winning the Premiership with Bath and I thought him and Tomos Williams controlled the game really well. 'We're still growing, there's a lot of growth left in us but the identity at least, you could see how we try to play the game out there.'
North Wales Chronicle
18 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Don't know how funny that gag is – Sione Tuipulotu laughs off ‘Aussie' dig
Tuipulotu, one of eight players in Andy Farrell's squad who were born, raised and educated in the southern hemisphere, was among those caught in the crosshairs before Saturday's 54-7 rout of Western Force. 'Another Aussie at number 12, Sione Tuipulotu,' was how the Scotland centre was introduced when the team was read out for the Lions' opening match on Australian soil. Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Pierre Schoeman were also referenced by the nation of their birth rather than their adopted country, for whom they have qualified either through residency or family heritage. It continued a theme from the hosts that began when Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt described Tuipulotu and New Zealand-born Ireland international Bundee Aki as a 'southern-hemisphere centre partnership' in the build-up to the defeat by Argentina in Dublin. Tuipulotu emphasised the words 'good humour' when brushing aside the jibes that he expected on his return Down Under. 'I knew there would be some 'good humour' coming back home to Australia. These are all things we've got to take in our stride,' he said. 'To not announce the elephant in the room, I am from Australia. I was born here. I don't know how funny that gag is to everyone! 'I'm loving my rugby playing for the Lions and I'm really passionate about it. Andy's brought the group together so well.' The victory in Perth exposed several shortcomings such as a high penalty count and creaking set-piece, but there was also much to admire in the attacking exuberance that produced eight classy tries. Tougher tests than the Force await on tour but combined with the evidence gathered from the Aviva Stadium eight days earlier, Farrell's Lions are clearly keen to keep the ball alive – and on this occasion the passes stuck. Finn Russell was at the heart of onslaught in his first outing of the tour and the Scot's instinctive play drew approval from Farrell, who declared: 'He's ready to go. And that's good.' Well done, dad 👍🫶#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 28, 2025 Tuipulotu, who expects to be firing by the Test series as he continues his comeback from a significant ankle injury, said: 'We're taking ideas from all the nations. 'Obviously, the coaching style is very Ireland dominant and there are a lot of ideas that we're getting from the Irish coaches, but then those ideas are being sprinkled on. 'When Finn comes in, he plays his style. He plays to the structure of the team, but he's a very instinctive player and he wants to play what's directly in front of his face. 'There's a mixture there and that's what's going to make it hard to defend for opposition teams. BEAUTY 🤩 Watch every match live on @SkySports. #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 28, 2025 'They're not necessarily defending a structure of play, they're defending a structure of play with really supreme individuals conducting it like Finn. 'Finn's a world-class number 10 and he's been here, been there, done that. He's come off a really good season after winning the Premiership with Bath and I thought him and Tomos Williams controlled the game really well. 'We're still growing, there's a lot of growth left in us but the identity at least, you could see how we try to play the game out there.'
