We’ve heard of fighters changing weight classes far too often, but nicknames? While it’s not as common, it has happened many times before. Why, when Jon Jones first broke into the scene he had a certain nickname that would make his opponents blush before he took on the ‘Bones’ moniker. Even Kevin Holland briefly adopted the ‘Big Mouth’ moniker after Dana White bestowed it upon him before he fell back on ‘Trailblazer’. Yup, changing nicknames is more common than you think. And now the latest in the series of fighters changing nicknames is the soon-to-be former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.

The Georgian Spaniard chose ‘El Matador’ because of his love for Spanish bullfighters. Like many, he was captivated by how the highly skilled Spaniards could go up against a raging bull and survive. So, Topuria decided to keep this name as a tribute to them. But, just like his dream featherweight run, Topuria said goodbye to the nickname he loved with an ‘X’ post, “El Matador has been my ally in every fight. But next time, I’ll step into the Octagon with a new identity. #NewEra”

Initially, a popular MMA account on X, DovySimuMMA, shared a post featuring a picture of Ilia Topuria from Men’s Health magazine, which included the caption “El Elegido,” meaning “The Chosen One” as the soon-to-be former featherweight champion’s new nickname. Later, in another ‘X’ post by Championship Rounds, in which Ilia Topuria was asked if he would keep his nickname “The King” or “The Chosen One.” He replied by saying ‘neither’. So, what is his new nickname? Well, MMA Marca uploaded a video where Ilia Topuria revealed the anticipated news during a speech in Toledo, Spain, that is – ‘El Leyenda (The Legend).

Ilia Topuria, with a smirk of honor, said, “Matador is something that has accompanied me throughout my entire career, during my sports career. And it’s something that has led me to a new nickname, because that is what I always say a lot of people need. They need to see, to believe. I first believe it, and then see it. The nickname that will accompany me in my next fights will be El Leyenda (The Legend).” [Translated from Spanish to English via Google Translate]

Ilia Topuria’s reasoning behind his nickname is quite clear. After he relinquished the featherweight championship and left the division, he felt that his journey as a combat athlete representing the image of a bullfighter came to an end. Now, Topuria believes he is on the path to becoming a legend. To achieve this goal, he needs to fight like a legend, which is why this nickname will serve as a reflection of the mindset he must maintain to compete with legendary lightweights.

After unveiling the stage name, even a champion like Topuria is receiving reactions from the MMA world. Let’s take a look at how fans are responding to the former champion’s surprising nickname shift.

MMA Fans react to Ilia Topuria changing his name from ‘El Matador’ to ‘El Leyenda’

It is looking like Ilia Topuria’s change of nickname hasn’t sat well with the MMA fans, as one user didn’t resist while pointing out, “his previous was so much better”,  and another user found the nickname hilarious, “That’s funny,” while another user, who must be a video game fan, found Topuria’s previous fight name better just because it sounded OP, “He should’ve left it as what it was, was way better, this is such a video game name”.

Since Topuria has been facing a lot of criticism from the fans for leaving the featherweight division without facing Movsar Evloev, who was considered his biggest challenge at 145lbs at one point,  a fan bashfully wrote, “He Legend because he run from Movsar”. Another user responded by suggesting that his entire persona stemmed from a Napoleon complex, “Lol dude really suffers from napoleon complex”, while another user taunted him by saying, “McGregor wannabe.”

After the change of nickname to ‘El Leyenda (The Legend)’ fans also questioned Ilia Topuria for declaring himself as the legend before facing his biggest challenge Islam Makhachev. A user wrote, Spanish Georgian is destined to be choked by the Dagestani Champion, “Imagine calling your self legend js to tap out to the P4P King”,  another wasn’t optimistic for the featherweight-turned-lightweight, “That’s bad news ,, islam already been called legend killer.”

To some, this new stage name didn’t sit too well, “El st***do should be good”, while another user just labeled it as, “bro picked worst possible name”.  Topuria is yet to step inside the Octagon after defeating Max Holloway last year, so a user just wants him to fight, “Now, he doing too much, just fight.”

What do you think of Ilia Topuria’s new nickname? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.