Zurab Talakvadze

Well, at least the great Georgian is trying to do so. Few days ago, Ilia’s scarf was seen being sold in Spain next to Cristiano Ronaldo’s and Kylian Mbappe’s shirt. Not a bad company.

By the way, last year Ilia said, that he has no doubts, that he will be the highest paid athlete pretty soon. A title, that Ronaldo has held for the last three years and running.

Of course, Topuria is a global superstar and one of the best in the history of UFC. He is still one of the most dangerous fighters in his division, in his profession, so what is the big deal here? He is on his way to be taken as one of the most brutal fighters ever. Indeed.

But, for now, Ilia is not making that kind, that amount of money with Dana White. The wallet is closed for now. And, to be honest, Topuria was some 259 million dollars shy of Ronaldo in 2025. Not close, I guess. Maybe, 2026 will be the year. That is a big maybe.

But as long as Ronaldo is in Saudi, there is no way, Ilia is catching on him, not even coming close, not touching him. He will be short of getting to even quarter of what Ronaldo earn. Even on endorsement, Ronaldo’s salary is bigger than any amount if Ilia already got in UFC fights. 3-4 super fights and he is in the conversation?

We doubt that.

As for the probable fight with Arman Tsarukyan, former great Khabib Nurmagomedov said, that right now, Arman is the best LW in the world. Arman fights with strikers from a distance. He keeps his distance well., works great with his kicks. He can take Ilia down. He has good elbows on the ground. He can grapple and take the back. That is what Khabib just mentioned.