Ilia Topuria vs. Petr Yan: The 2021 Superfight That Could Have Shaken Two Divisions

In 2021, the UFC was overflowing with rising stars, but few carried the same electric volatility as Ilia Topuria and Petr Yan. Though they competed in different divisions, the idea of these two precision-driven predators sharing the Octagon became one of those whispered “what if” scenarios among hardcore fans — a fantasy matchup built on violence, technique, and the kind of competitive fire that defines champions.

Two Men on Parallel Ascents

Ilia Topuria: The Unstoppable Surge

By 2021, Ilia Topuria had already carved out a reputation as one of the most dangerous prospects in the featherweight division. Undefeated, ruthless, and technically suffocating, Topuria blended Georgian grit with Spanish composure. His boxing was crisp, his grappling suffocating, and his confidence — unmistakable.

He wasn’t just winning.He was breaking people.

Topuria’s rise felt inevitable, the kind of momentum that makes fans wonder how far a fighter’s ceiling really goes.

Petr Yan: The Calculated Assassin

Meanwhile, Petr Yan was deep in the heart of his bantamweight reign. Known for his cold efficiency and terrifying ability to download opponents round by round, Yan was the embodiment of controlled violence. His footwork, pressure, and counterstriking made him one of the most complete fighters on the roster.

Even in 2025, Yan’s precision and discipline continue to define him ESPN  Sportskeeda — but in 2021, he was at his most feared.

Why Fans Wanted It

The fantasy matchup gained traction for one reason:both men fought like they were born for chaos but trained for perfection.

• Topuria’s explosive entries vs. Yan’s surgical counters

• Yan’s pressure vs. Topuria’s power

• Two fighters who never take a backward step

It was the irresistible force meeting the immovable object.

How the Fight Might Have Played Out

Round 1: Fire Meets Ice

Topuria would storm forward early, testing Yan’s guard with heavy hooks and level-change feints. Yan, unbothered, would stay behind his high guard, reading, calculating, waiting for the moment to punish a mistake.

Round 2: The Download Complete

Yan’s adjustments would begin to surface — sharper counters, body shots, and a pace designed to drown opponents. But Topuria’s power is the great equalizer. Every exchange would carry danger.

Round 3 and Beyond: The War of Wills

If the fight reached the championship rounds, Yan’s cardio and pressure could begin to tilt the momentum. But Topuria’s explosiveness and grappling threats would keep the Russian from ever feeling safe.

This is the kind of fight where neither man leaves the cage the same.

Legacy Implications

A 2021 clash between Topuria and Yan would have been a generational measuring stick — a collision of two fighters destined for championship gold.

• If Topuria won, he would have announced himself as a once-in-a-decade phenom.

• If Yan won, it would have cemented his reputation as one of the most technically complete fighters of his era.

Either way, the UFC would have walked away with a rivalry worthy of myth.

The Fight That Never Was — But Should Have Been

History didn’t give us this matchup. Weight classes, timing, and circumstance kept these two from crossing paths. But the idea of Ilia Topuria vs. Petr Yan in 2021 remains one of the great unrealized battles of modern MMA — a fight that would have blended violence, intelligence, and championship-level heart.

And sometimes, the fights we never get are the ones that live the longest.