When it comes to bold statements in the UFC, few fighters stir up conversation like Sean O’Malley. The former bantamweight champion has once again ignited debate in the MMA community by proclaiming Ilia Topuria the greatest fighter to ever walk the earth. Even more shockingly, O’Malley placed the undefeated Spanish-Georgian champion above legendary names like Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and Demetrious Johnson.
But is O’Malley’s praise genuine admiration, strategic hype, or a controversial opinion designed to stir discussion? Let’s dive into the details of what was said, examine Topuria’s rise to stardom, and explore whether he truly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the all-time greats.
Sean O’Malley’s Explosive Claim
In a recent YouTube appearance, Sean O’Malley didn’t hold back his admiration for Ilia Topuria. Known for his outspoken nature, O’Malley declared:
“Ilia Topuria is pound-for-pound the greatest fighter to ever walk the earth. Greatest fighter, pound-for-pound, ever. Even over [Jon] Jones, I think. His last three fights, KOes. He KOes Volkanovski, KOes Max Holloway, KOes Charles Oliveira. He’s not beating these guys in a decision. He’s not taking them down and holding them down. He’s knocking them out.”
That statement immediately raised eyebrows across the MMA world. To place Topuria — just 28 years old and relatively early in his UFC legacy — above legends like Jon Jones, who has over a decade of dominance, is as bold as it gets.
Who Is Ilia Topuria?
Before analyzing whether O’Malley’s assessment holds weight, let’s break down Ilia Topuria’s career so far.
Record: 17-0 (undefeated)
Titles: Former UFC featherweight champion, current lightweight champion
Style: Elite striker with sharp boxing, knockout power, and underrated grappling
Notable Wins: Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira
Topuria rose to fame as one of the most exciting fighters in the featherweight division. His striking precision, combined with raw knockout power, made him a threat to anyone at 145 pounds. After defeating Volkanovski, who had been considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters, Topuria’s hype skyrocketed.
When he moved up to lightweight, he shocked the MMA community again by capturing the 155-pound crown, further cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC today.
O’Malley’s Reasoning: Why Topuria Over Jon Jones?
O’Malley emphasized one particular point: finishing fights. According to him, what sets Topuria apart from other champions is his ability to end bouts decisively.
Volkanovski? Knocked out.
Max Holloway? Knocked out.
Charles Oliveira? Knocked out.
Unlike some fighters who rely on grinding decisions or wrestling-heavy gameplans, Topuria has become known for devastating striking and highlight-reel finishes. In O’Malley’s eyes, this kind of dominance makes him the greatest pound-for-pound fighter ever.
Meanwhile, Jon Jones, despite his long list of achievements, often won fights by decision, control, or cautious strategies. That difference in style — violent finishes versus calculated dominance — is central to O’Malley’s argument.
Ilia Topuria’s Historic Rise
Let’s put this in perspective. At just 28 years old, Topuria has:
Won titles in two weight classes.
Defeated three former or current champions back-to-back.
Maintained an undefeated professional record.
That resume is extraordinary. Fighters often take years to build legacies across divisions. Conor McGregor, for example, was one of the few to hold two titles simultaneously, but his reign was short-lived. Topuria, on the other hand, seems poised to defend both divisions if he chooses.
This meteoric rise is why O’Malley isn’t alone in believing that Topuria could be a generational talent.
The Counterargument: Is It Too Soon?
As much as O’Malley praises Topuria, not everyone is convinced. Critics argue:
Small Sample Size: Topuria has only recently reached championship level.
No Wrestler Test Yet: He has not fought elite grapplers like Arman Tsarukyan or Islam Makhachev, who could expose weaknesses.
No Title Defenses: Unlike legends such as Anderson Silva (10 defenses), Demetrious Johnson (11 defenses), and Jon Jones (14 title wins), Topuria hasn’t yet proven long-term dominance.
Greatness in combat sports is often measured not just by winning titles, but by defending them repeatedly against all challengers. Until Topuria racks up multiple defenses, many fans argue it’s premature to crown him the greatest of all time.
Comparing Topuria to UFC Legends
Let’s break down how Ilia Topuria stacks up against the established GOAT candidates:
Jon Jones
Pros: Longest undefeated streak in UFC history, multiple title defenses, dominance at light heavyweight, now heavyweight champ.
Cons: Controversies outside the cage, some close decisions late in career.
Anderson Silva
Pros: 16 consecutive UFC wins, highlight-reel knockouts, dominant champion for nearly 7 years.
Cons: Late-career losses tarnished his record.
Georges St-Pierre
Pros: Dominated welterweight division, 9 title defenses, returned after 4 years to win middleweight title.
Cons: Criticized for decision-heavy style.
Demetrious Johnson
Pros: 11 straight title defenses, incredible versatility, dominant across two promotions.
Cons: Fought in flyweight, which lacked mainstream star power.
Ilia Topuria
Pros: Undefeated, two-division champion at 28, finishing elite fighters.
Cons: No title defenses yet, hasn’t faced a dominant wrestler.
From this comparison, it’s clear that Topuria has the skills and momentum, but he hasn’t yet achieved the longevity and defenses that legends are known for.
Why Sean O’Malley’s Words Matter
Some may dismiss O’Malley’s comments as hype, but they serve several purposes:
Drawing Attention: Statements like this spark debate, bringing more attention to both O’Malley and Topuria.
Selling Fights: If O’Malley ever moves up to face Topuria in a superfight, these words will help build the narrative.
Changing Perception: Fans often remember who praises or criticizes fighters early in their careers. O’Malley aligning himself with Topuria now could be strategic.
Simply put, O’Malley knows how to stay relevant in the headlines.
The Future for Ilia Topuria
So, what’s next for Ilia Topuria? At lightweight, potential opponents include:
Islam Makhachev (current lightweight king, elite grappler)
Arman Tsarukyan (wrestling-heavy rising contender)
Justin Gaethje (knockout artist, fan-favorite brawler)
If Topuria can defeat fighters like Makhachev or Tsarukyan, his case as the pound-for-pound best will grow even stronger. Until then, questions will linger about how he handles elite wrestlers and long-reigning champions.
Is O’Malley Right?
So, is Sean O’Malley correct in calling Ilia Topuria the greatest fighter of all time?
The answer depends on perspective:
Yes, if greatness is defined by finishing elite opponents and making history at a young age.
Not yet, if greatness requires long-term dominance, title defenses, and overcoming stylistically difficult matchups.
Regardless of where fans stand, one thing is clear: Ilia Topuria is one of the most exciting fighters in MMA today, and his journey is far from over. If he continues to rack up wins, especially against wrestlers and title challengers, O’Malley’s statement may not sound as outrageous in a few years.
