The UFC’s bantamweight division is about to get a jolt of excitement as Aleksandre Topuria, brother of reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, is slated to make his highly anticipated Octagon debut at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, on February 9, 2025.
🚨 Aleksandre Topuria will make his UFC debut at #UFC312 on February 9th against Cody Haddon
(per @KOlmeneroMMA) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/vyyE9inYGq
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 20, 2024
Following in His Brother’s Footsteps
The 28-year-old Topuria, known as “El Cazador” (The Hunter), brings an impressive 5-1 professional record to the UFC, with all of his victories coming by way of finish. His explosive style and penchant for early stoppages have already drawn comparisons to his younger brother’s meteoric rise through the ranks.
Aleksandre’s journey to the UFC has been marked by patience and perseverance. After suffering his lone defeat in 2015, he took a six-year hiatus from competition before returning with a vengeance. Since his comeback, Topuria has amassed a three-fight win streak, with each victory coming in less than two minutes of the first round.
The UFC’s decision to sign Aleksandre in August 2024 sparked immediate interest from fans and analysts alike. Many speculated about when he would make his debut, with hopes high for a late 2024 appearance. However, Topuria recently confirmed via social media that his first UFC fight would take place in early 2025, building anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling start to the new year.
UFC 312 is shaping up to be a blockbuster event, headlined by a middleweight championship rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. The addition of Aleksandre Topuria to the card adds another layer of intrigue to an already stacked lineup.
This time they won’t call it a robbery, they’ll call it attempted murder. #UFC312 #preparetobeamazed pic.twitter.com/oSOJ0ih5yf
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) December 9, 2024
UFC 312 is Shaping Up Nicely
Topuria’s opponent for his debut has been revealed to be Cody Haddon, a Dana White’s Contender Series graduate who impressed in his own UFC debut with a unanimous decision victory over Dan Argueta in October 2024. The matchup pits Topuria’s finishing prowess against Haddon’s proven ability to go the distance, setting the stage for a compelling clash of styles.
The significance of Aleksandre’s debut extends beyond his own career trajectory. With his brother Ilia holding the featherweight title, the Topuria family has the potential to become the next great sibling duo in UFC history. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Aleksandre can replicate the success of his championship-caliber brother.
As the fight approaches, all eyes will be on Aleksandre Topuria’s preparation and mindset. Training alongside a UFC champion undoubtedly provides unique insights and advantages, but it also comes with the pressure of high expectations. How Topuria handles this pressure in his first UFC appearance will be a key storyline leading up to the event.
UFC 312 in Sydney represents not only Aleksandre Topuria’s debut but also the UFC’s continued commitment to bringing world-class MMA action to Australia. The inclusion of local talent on the card, such as Perth’s Cody Haddon, ensures that the Australian fans will have plenty to cheer for on fight night.
As the countdown to UFC 312 begins, the MMA community eagerly awaits the arrival of another Topuria in the Octagon. Will Aleksandre live up to the hype and follow in his brother’s footsteps, or will Cody Haddon play spoiler to the debut? One thing is certain: February 9th can’t come soon enough for fight fans around the world.
