Josh Emmett remains the only fighter to go all five rounds with Ilia Topuria. While the Spanish standout has brutally finished all his other opponents, things went differently against Emmett, who managed to survive the whole fight. Interestingly, Emmett says Topuria isn’t the hardest hitter he’s faced—he gives that title to fellow featherweight Dan Ige.
Dan Ige has built a reputation in the UFC for stepping up on short notice for major PPV events—and he’s backed it up with dangerous striking skills. While Josh Emmett already holds a unanimous decision win over ‘50k,’ the veteran still gave Ige credit for his punching power, even saying it surpasses Ilia Topuria’s.
“But the thing with Ilia is his footwork is good, he’s always in a really good position, he’s fast, and he’s very precise and accurate,” Emmett explained in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. “I was always saying on the regional scene, when I fought Christos Giagos as a lightweight, he hit really hard, Dan Ige can crack, too.“
💥💣 Josh Emmett went 25 minutes with Ilia Topuria and says that Dan Ige hits harder:
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 5, 2025
"Of course he hits hard, but from a pure.. I feel like I've been hit harder by people that I've fought, but the thing with Ilia is his footwork is good, he's always in a really good position,… pic.twitter.com/dWzSy0f7wB
The 40-year-old also pointed out that the current lightweight champion isn’t always throwing with full power. Instead, he relies on speed, accuracy, and precision to generate knockout shots.
Demetrious Johnson Says Ilia Topuria Has The Skills To Retire Unbeaten Like Khabib Nurmagomedov
Ilia Topuria has quickly become one of the UFC’s biggest stars. Especially after his first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim a second title. With wins over top names like Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, his rise has been nothing short of dominant. But MMA legend Demetrious Johnson believes fans may not see him for long.
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“I think you’re going to see him 3–4 more times, maybe 5 max, and he’s gonna disappear. Undefeated, he could be a potential Khabib. It’s like, ‘I’m done, don’t need to prove anything,” Johnson said in a recent YouTube video.
Topuria’s resume is already stacked with names like Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski, and now Oliveira. With his rapid rise and dominant performances, Johnson sees a similar path to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired unbeaten at 29-0. Whether Topuria follows in those footsteps is something fans will be watching closely.
Also Read: UFC Coach Details One Fighter That Could Put Ilia Topuria To Test
