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Is Ilia Topuria teamless headed into one of the most important fights of his career?
That’s the question many fans are asking after news came out yesterday that the Spanish MMA star was leaving his longtime coaches at Climent Club. The official reason: Topuria’s move from Alicante to Madrid (a four hour drive away) made continuing to work together as in the past impossible.
But worry not, Ilia-Maniacs! Spanish combat sports reporter Alvaro Colmenero gives some more clarification into what that means for Topuria now, and it really doesn’t seem like a massive change is underway for “El Matador’s” bout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. In fact, you’ve already seen the new ‘freelance’ Topuria perform as he’s been living in Madrid and working with his modified team since at least the Max Holloway fight.
“For quite some time, Ilia’s work team was formed by his own brother Aleks and Javi Climent (who is not related to the Climent brothers),” Colmenero reported. “Javi Climent (originally a boxing coach and now a striking coach) moved months ago to Madrid to form part of his hard core of technical preparation, something that will continue to be the case … And he had added Mani Tavanaei and Mathias Ribeiro (prestigious BJJ black belts) to his team.”
“The separation was already tacit, but unofficial.”
“The man who is side by side with Topuria at the beginning of the camp is Jesus Gallo in charge of the physical part in Madrid,” he added. “But we cannot confirm at this moment that Doctor Aldo [Martinez] will not be part of the training camp. We will report in the next few days.”
“Regarding Aldo, I think the work he has done is spectacular, and I do not consider him as a simple executor — he coordinated in person all [of Topuria’s] physical preparation.” Colmenero concluded. “But Jesus Gallo is not a new signing, he really worked for years in the shadows.”
Considering the split is amicable and related to geography and not drama, it sounds like Topuria is still well positioned to fight his best fight come June 28th at UFC 317.
