Ilia Topuria names his UFC Mount Rushmore ahead of UFC Freedom 250
In a recent interview, Ilia Topuria revealed the four men he includes on his UFC Mount Rushmore of the promotion's greatest-ever fighters.
In his recent appearance on DeepCut with VicBlends, Ilia Topuria had a lengthy conversation with the host, Victor Fontanez. Among the topics the pair discussed was the sport's infamous GOAT topic. Although Topuria often regards himself as better than every fighter on the UFC roster, he did not place himself on the promotion's Mount Rushmore, instead focusing on some of MMA's most successful figures.
Ilia Topuria goes over his UFC Mount Rushmore
When asked by the interviewer for his take on the UFC Mount Rushmore, Ilia Topuria highlighted four of the most accomplished fighters in the promotion's history, in both athletic and financial terms (1:04:30):
"Greatest of all time. Jon Jones. Georges St-Pierre. Conor McGregor. Anderson Silva. That's easy."
Jon Jones is widely regarded as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, with the longest unbeaten streak in UFC history, the most title wins in UFC history, the most title defenses in UFC history, along with numerous other records. He is also distinguished as the youngest-ever UFC champion, and among the few to have won a title in two divisions, having reigned supreme at both light heavyweight and heavyweight.
Georges St-Pierre, meanwhile, is often highlighted as a legitimate challenger to Jones' claim to GOAT status. He has avenged every loss he has ever suffered, captured two UFC belts at welterweight and middleweight, and holds the record for the most UFC welterweight title defenses. Prior to Jones' ascension, however, Anderson Silva was regarded as the MMA GOAT, holding the record for the most UFC middleweight title defenses, the longest win streak in UFC history, and is credited with the first-ever front kick knockout in the UFC, when he defeated Vitor Belfort at UFC 126.
Topuria's final name for his UFC Mount Rushmore was Conor McGregor, who he previously idolized and was the UFC's first simultaneous two-division champion, having held the featherweight and lightweight belts. He also holds the record for the fastest knockout in a UFC title fight, having starched the great José Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194. Furthermore, four of the top five highest-selling pay-per-views in UFC history belong to 'The Notorious,' who routinely draws over 1 million PPV buys.
On June 14, Topuria will look to continue building his own legacy by defending his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.
