The Hispanic-Georgian Ilia Topuria wrote a memorable chapter in the history of mixed martial arts by becoming the UFC lightweight champion, after knocking out the Brazilian Charles Oliveira in the first round during the UFC 317 event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.
With this victory, Topuria claims his second world title and becomes one of the few fighters to conquer two different divisions, while also maintaining his professional unbeaten record of 17-0, a feat unprecedented in the company so far.
The fight for the vacant title was an exhibition of dominance and precision by "El Matador," who from the start showcased his boxing skills with a series of accurate punches that destabilized Oliveira.
The Brazilian tried to take the fight to the ground, but even in the realm of grappling, the champion displayed impeccable technical defense.
After a powerful left hook, Oliveira fell onto his back; Topuria jumped on him and delivered two punches to his face with his left hand, prompting referee Marc Goddard to stop the fight at 2:27 minutes of the first round.
The audience at the T-Mobile was initially stunned by the technical brutality of the knockout, but immediately erupted into applause.
Topuria, who already held the featherweight title, thus joins a select group of only 10 fighters - including Irishman Conor McGregor, American Jon Jones, and Brazilian Amanda Nunes - who are also champions in two categories. However, none of them achieved this without having lost before.
That perfect mark makes "El Matador" the only undefeated two-time champion in UFC history.
During the celebration in the octagon with his family, an incident occurred when the British fighter Paddy Pimblett, Topuria's archrival, entered the cage without permission, leading to a tense confrontation that almost escalated into a fight.
"Get your butt out of here," the Spaniard shot back before pushing him out.
Dana White, president of the UFC, harshly criticized Pimblett's unauthorized access: "I don’t know who the hell let Paddy in. That should have never happened, especially with Ilia's family there."
Topuria's performance, which required only 11 strikes to end the fight compared to the eight he received, has further enhanced his status.
Although UFC contracts are not public, it is estimated that the Spaniard could have earned about 4 million dollars from base pay, bonuses, and a percentage of the pay-per-view.
Oliveira, for his part, would have received about 2.5 million.
Currently regarded as the third best pound-for-pound fighter in the organization, Topuria is already thinking about the future.
In the subsequent press conference, he spoke about a possible fight at Santiago Bernabéu in 2026, with Paddy Pimblett as a potential opponent: "It would be like a Champions League final," he asserted.
But their ambition goes beyond that.
The fighter admitted that he aims to become the first three-time champion in the UFC, which would undoubtedly place him among the greatest of all time.
Despite his confidence, he admits that the key lies in consistent work: "I don't feel invincible. That's why I train every day."
Frequently Asked Questions about Ilia Topuria's Victory in the UFC
How did Ilia Topuria become the UFC lightweight champion?
Ilia Topuria became the lightweight champion of the UFC by knocking out Brazilian Charles Oliveira in the first round during the UFC 317 event, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Topuria displayed absolute dominance in the fight, showcasing his boxing skills and finishing the bout with a powerful left hook that compelled the referee to stop the contest.
What record does Ilia Topuria hold after his victory at UFC 317?
With his victory, Ilia Topuria maintains his undefeated professional record of 17-0. Additionally, he has achieved titles in two different categories, being the only undefeated double champion in the history of the UFC.
What incidents occurred during Ilia Topuria's celebration at UFC 317?
During the celebration of his victory in the octagon, an incident occurred when the Brit Paddy Pimblett barged in without permission, leading to a tense confrontation that nearly escalated into a fight. Dana White, president of the UFC, strongly criticized Pimblett's unauthorized access, labeling it as a particularly serious mistake given that Ilia's family was present.
What are Ilia Topuria's future aspirations in the UFC?
Ilia Topuria expressed his desire to become the first triple champion in the UFC, which would place him among the greatest of all time. He also mentioned the possibility of facing Paddy Pimblett in 2026 at the Santiago Bernabéu, describing it as an event similar to a Champions League final.
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