Ilia Topuria has ascended to the very top of the MMA world and shows no signs of being dethroned anytime soon.
In the main event of UFC 317 held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Topuria secured the vacant lightweight championship by delivering a single powerful punch that knocked Charles Oliveira out cold. Leading up to the fight, Topuria had confidently declared he would add Oliveira to his impressive list of knockout victories, a promise he absolutely delivered on.
These results mark his third consecutive knockout victory against elite opponents (following Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski), solidifying his claim for what is arguably the most impressive three-fight run in mixed martial arts history. Known as “El Matador,” Topuria maintains an undefeated professional record of 17-0, including a perfect 9-0 run within the UFC.
By capturing the 155-pound belt after vacating his featherweight title, Topuria joins an exclusive group of UFC icons, including Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Amanda Nunes, Randy Couture, and Conor McGregor, as the only fighters to have held titles in two different weight classes.
Following this monumental victory, discussion has emerged among professional fighters regarding Topuria`s standing. Some suggest his star power and profile now potentially surpass that of Conor McGregor, positioning him as the new face of the UFC.
See below for reactions from professional fighters regarding Topuria’s significant win.
