Richard Mille Makes History in Combat Sports
Many successful fighters have purchased and worn expensive luxury watches for years. For instance, UFC fighter Islam Makhachev was recently spotted wearing a $600k Richard Mille. However, Richard Mille has done something very unique by selecting Topuria as its very first mixed martial arts partner.
The watch brand has invited him to join its highly prestigious group of global sporting icons. RM is putting him right next to famous brand ambassadors like tennis legend Rafael Nadal and Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc.
RM is the ultimate status symbol for top athletes. For instance, Indian billionaire Anant Ambani recently gifted Lionel Messi a $1.2 million Richard Mille. Now, Topuria has stepped into this very exclusive luxury world. When the news broke, the UFC featherweight and lightweight champion stated:
I feel a lot of pride, because it’s huge – not only for me but for the entire fighting world.
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Why Richard Mille Chose El Matador
High-end luxury watch brands are usually very careful about who they sponsor. So why did RM pick a cage fighter? Both sides actually have a deep philosophy built around technical mastery, intense discipline, and ultimate precision.
The official brand announcement praised the fighter’s composed emotional control and his powerful fighting style. RM recognizes that the 29-year-old athlete’s quiet precision matches the company’s understated technicality.
For instance, Topuria, in the ring, uses precise striking to score knockouts over the best fighters of this era. At the same time, the luxury watch brand applies the same level of care to build highly complex mechanical watches.
Fans might wonder if Topuria will wear these luxury watches while actually fighting. The answer is no. Keep in mind that this specific partnership is designed as a lifestyle and branding agreement rather than a traditional fight contract.
Thus, the focus here is entirely on public appearances, brand alignment, and photo shoots. Topuria will wear the valuable Richard Mille watches during press conferences, interviews, and public events to elevate his global image. I think this is a strategic move to market the fighter as a high-end celebrity outside the UFC Octagon.
Perfect Timing: Richard Mille Signs a Double Champion
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Topuria holds the rare and difficult double-champion status, meaning he rules both the featherweight and lightweight divisions. Richard Mille picked the absolute perfect time to announce this partnership, selecting Topuria at the very peak of his athletic career.
Topuria’s star power will only grow bigger very soon. He is currently preparing to headline the historic UFC White House event scheduled for June 14, 2026. He will face the dangerous Justin Gaethje in that highly anticipated match, which will happen right on the lawn of the White House.
Likewise, his commercial portfolio is expanding fast, and beyond this luxury sponsorship, he recently secured big deals with other famous brands like:
- Adolfo Dominguez
- Estrella Galicia
- Dolce & Gabbana
Which Richard Mille Models Does Topuria Wear?
The champion was already a serious watch collector long before his official signing with Richard Mille. His personal collection featured watches like the Rolex Daytona and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. But now, as an official brand partner, Richard Mille provides him with some of the most advanced luxury timepieces it has ever made.
The RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph
Topuria is associated with the RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph, which is the brand’s most complex automatic watch. It features 600+ tiny components and has a retail price tag between $375,000 and $388,000.
The RM 65-01 measures 44.50 by 49.94 mm and is built from solid Carbon TPT or Quartz TPT material. These high-tech materials are a huge focus for the brand right now. In fact, Richard Mille recently expanded the RM 30–01 collection with new Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT variants.
The RM 65-01 watch features a skeletonized Calibre RMAC4 movement, which beats at a high frequency of 5Hz, meaning it can measure time down to 1/10th of a second. In addition, the RM 65-01 has a unique patented pusher located at 8 o’clock.
If the 60-hour power reserve runs out, the user can press this button about 125 times to fully rewind the barrel fast. There is also a gearbox system in the crown, which lets Topuria switch between Winding, Date, and Hand-setting modes.
The RM 67-02 Automatic Winding Extra Flat
Topuria relies on the RM 67-02 Automatic Winding Extra Flat for peak athletic performance. The model is famous for being the lightest automatic watch in RM’s entire catalog. It weighs only 32 grams, including the strap, and the sleek case is only 7.80 mm thick.
RM 67-02 features Calibre CRMA7 movement with an extra-flat 3.6 mm engine featuring bridges made from grade 5 titanium. The movement uses an advanced variable geometry rotor made of white gold and Carbon TPT to keep the 50-hour power reserve. The watch secures on Topuria’s wrist during intense training thanks to an elastic and comfortable strap.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Watch Collection 2026
RM’s Strategy Changes the Game for MMA Marketing
Everyone calls this a landmark partnership between Topuria and Richard Mille. It completely changes the game for professional MMA fighters who want to enter the luxury fashion sector.
Ilia Topuria is building a legendary legacy both inside and outside the cage by matching his amazing fighting skills with high-end luxury watch brands like RM.
Fans and watch enthusiasts, including me, are very excited to see which stunning watches he will show off during his major upcoming fight week in Washington DC.
