UFC 312 witnessed the highly anticipated debut of Aleksandre Topuria, who made quite the splash by defeating Australian fighter Colby Thicknesse. This event, held at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, not only showcased Topuria's skills but also marked the arrival of another talented fighter from the Topuria lineage, famously led by his brother, Ilia Topuria.
Going by the nickname 'El Conquistador,' Aleksandre entered the octagon brimming with confidence and determination. With all eyes on him, he stepped up to face Thicknesse, who entered the fight with an impressive undefeated record of 7-0. Counseled by former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, Thicknesse aimed to utilize his grappling strengths to neutralize Topuria's explosive offensive capabilities.
The first round began with both fighters measuring each other's reach and ground game. Thicknesse was the first to engage with kicks, but it was Topuria who took control early on, dominating the center of the octagon and dictatively directing the fight's flow. His patient approach paid off when, toward the end of the round, he executed a remarkable suplex, leaving the crowd roaring with excitement.
Despite some initial nerves from Topuria, he quickly settled and began to land significant strikes, showcasing excellent boxing technique and timing. “Aprovechemos esta oportunidad para mostrarle al mundo quién soy,” Topuria declared post-fight, demonstrating his eagerness to prove himself on this grand stage, following the illustrious path of his younger brother.
Round two continued to highlight Topuria’s dominance, with regular powerful strikes and evasive maneuvers. Thicknesse attempted to fight back, landing some shots of his own, but they were insufficient to offset Topuria's control. Volkanovski, giving instructions from the corner, urged Thicknesse, saying, “Tienes que finalizarle,” but finding openings against the patient and strategic Topuria proved to be increasingly difficult.
Both fighters showcased their respective skillsets, with Thicknesse attempting to engage more aggressively as the fight progressed. Nevertheless, Topuria, with excellent head movement and footwork, effectively negated his efforts. By the third round, it was evident Topuria was well on his way to victory, having built a significant lead.
The final round saw Thicknesse desperate, as the need for dramatic action became apparent. He launched himself at Topuria seeking to grapple and change the fight’s momentum. Yet, even on the ground, Topuria’s grappling prowess shone through as he repeatedly thwarted Thicknesse’s attempts for submissions, showcasing the well-rounded nature of his abilities.
After three rounds of captivating action, the judges rendered their decision: Aleksandre Topuria emerged victorious by unanimous decision, with all three scoring the fight 30-27 in his favor. It was a solid showing from 'El Conquistador', who toiled diligently to showcase his talents against the backdrop of one of MMA's biggest events.
The significance of this victory extends beyond mere statistics—Topuria is now positioned as one of the contenders to watch in the bantamweight category. Reflecting on his debut, he humbly stated, “No hay victoria sin sacrificio,” indicating his recognition of the hard work and dedication required to succeed at this level.
With this successful debut, Topuria has established himself as a new threat within the UFC, following the footsteps of his brother Ilia, who holds the featherweight title. Tweets from the fight's followers recognized the remarkable skills of the 'Topuria family,' with many experts highlighting his potential for championship pursuits. Therefore, as he moves forward, the MMA community will be keeping close tabs on Aleksandre Topuria, eager to see what next chapter awaits The Conquistador.