A New Topuria Takes Flight: Aleksandre Set for UFC Debut at UFC 312
The year 2024 may well be remembered as the year of Ilia Topuria, the Georgian-Spanish MMA phenom who is rapidly ascending the featherweight ranks and captivating audiences with his electrifying performances. But the Topuria family’s impact on the sport may only be beginning. Ilia’s older brother, Aleksandre Topuria, is poised to make his own mark on the UFC, with a reported debut slated for UFC 312 on February 9th in Sydney, Australia. This adds another layer of intrigue to an already stacked card, promising a double dose of Topuria firepower for fight fans.
Aleksandre, 28, enters the octagon boasting an undefeated professional record of 5-1, with an impressive 100% finish rate. This finishing prowess aligns with the aggressive, dominant style exhibited by his younger brother, suggesting a similar penchant for spectacular finishes. However, his UFC initiation will be no walk in the park. He’s reportedly matched against Cody Haddon, a gritty and determined fighter who earned his UFC contract through the proving grounds of Dana White’s Contender Series.
Haddon, fresh off a decisive victory over Dan Arguelta, represents a significant hurdle for Aleksandre. His Contender Series triumph, a first-round submission win over Billy Brand, demonstrated his ability to seize opportunities and finish fights. This matchup presents a classic debut scenario: a rising prospect against a hungry, proven UFC competitor eager to establish himself in the promotion. The clash of styles and the high stakes involved promise an exciting and potentially explosive encounter.
Aleksandre’s journey to the UFC has been hampered by injuries, which have limited his activity in recent years. His upcoming debut will be his first fight in almost two years, following a first-round TKO victory over Johan Segas in May 2023. This layoff raises questions about ring rust and how he will perform under the bright lights of the UFC stage. Nevertheless, his undefeated streak and finishing ability make him a dangerous and intriguing addition to the bantamweight division.
While the matchup is yet to be officially confirmed by the UFC, the rumors have ignited considerable anticipation. With the promotion typically quiet during the holiday season, official announcements are expected in the new year. However, the prospect of two Topuria brothers competing in the UFC within the same timeframe has already generated significant buzz within the MMA community.
UFC 312 is shaping up to be a blockbuster event, featuring two championship bouts and a host of exciting matchups. The main event pits middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis against former champion Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated rematch. Strickland aims to reclaim the title he lost to Du Plessis in January, setting the stage for a potentially explosive and emotionally charged encounter. The co-main event showcases strawweight champion Weili Zhang defending her title against the formidable Tatiana Suarez, a matchup that has been long in the making and promises to be a technical and strategic battle.
Beyond the title fights, UFC 312 boasts a lineup brimming with talent and intriguing storylines. Kamaru Usman, the former welterweight king, is rumored to face the rising star Jack Della Maddalena in a crucial bout for both fighters. Usman aims to rebound from recent losses and reassert his dominance in the division, while Della Maddalena seeks to solidify his status as a top contender. Other notable matchups include Rei Tsuruya vs. Stewart Nicoll in the flyweight division, Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio at light heavyweight, and a heavyweight clash between Tallison Teixeira and Justin Tafa. The card also features several promising prospects and rising stars looking to make their mark, including Quiland Salkilld vs. Anshul Jubli at lightweight and Tom Nolan vs. Viacheslav Borshchev. The addition of Aleksandre Topuria vs. Cody Haddon further strengthens the undercard, promising fireworks and potentially launching a new chapter in the Topuria family’s MMA legacy.
The event follows on the heels of another stacked card, UFC 311, scheduled for January 18th. UFC 311 is headlined by two title fights: Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan and Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov. This back-to-back presentation of double-header title fight cards underscores the UFC’s commitment to delivering high-stakes, action-packed events for its fans.
As the calendar turns to 2025, the anticipation for UFC 312 is bound to intensify. The combination of title fights, established stars, rising prospects, and the intriguing debut of Aleksandre Topuria makes this event a must-see for MMA enthusiasts. The stage is set for an unforgettable night of fights, and the world will be watching to see if a new Topuria star is born in Sydney, Australia.
