.png)
Aleksandre Topuria made an impressive statement in his UFC debut, securing a dominant unanimous decision win over Colby Thicknesse at UFC 312. The older brother of reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria showcased a well-rounded skill set, controlling the fight from start to finish and earning a clean sweep on the judges’ scorecards with scores of 30-27 across the board.
Despite nearly two years away from competition, Topuria displayed no signs of rust as he expertly blended striking and grappling to keep Thicknesse off balance. His powerful boxing set the tone early, and he made sure to highlight his wrestling abilities as well, proving he’s a complete mixed martial artist.
Reflecting on the fight, Topuria acknowledged his opponent’s toughness.
“I was thinking that sometimes what we are thinking and the reality that we want, it’s not like that,” he said. “Colby showed me a great fight, he’s a great rival. I think this guy deserves a UFC contract. I am a mixed martial arts fighter. I am not a boxer. You have to be able to be prepared for any scenario. I’m ready for every scenario.”
The fight began with Thicknesse using his movement and kicks to maintain distance, but Topuria pressed forward, patiently waiting for an opening. He found it late in the first round, landing a massive right hand that staggered Thicknesse. Although Topuria didn’t rush the finish, he followed up with a powerful suplex just before the round ended, demonstrating his wrestling prowess.
Thicknesse attempted to increase his volume in the second round, but Topuria continued to dictate the pace, applying constant pressure and controlling exchanges. Although Thicknesse landed a few solid strikes, his takedown attempts were easily countered.
The final round saw Topuria assert his dominance once more. When Thicknesse shot for a takedown, Topuria stuffed it with ease and transitioned to top control, where he methodically landed strikes until the final bell.
The victory added an extra layer to the ongoing rivalry between the Topuria and Volkanovski camps, as Thicknesse was cornered by Alexander Volkanovski, who lost his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria earlier in 2024. Now, with his first UFC win secured, Aleksandre Topuria has improved to 7-1 and can enjoy his triumph while preparing to support his brother’s upcoming title defense.