Mixed martial arts fans were treated to fireworks at UFC 317, where Ilia Topuria delivered on his promise and knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round of their lightweight title clash.
The undefeated Spanish-Georgian fighter became the 10th two-weight champion in UFC history, and the first to do so while remaining unbeaten. Topuria connected with a clean right hand to Oliveira’s chin, followed by a sharp left hook that sealed the deal at just 2 minutes and 27 seconds into the fight.
“I represent the new era of mixed martial arts,” Topuria said after the win. He had so much confidence in the result that he even held a victory dinner the night before the fight.
Oliveira, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert and former champion, tried to take the fight to the ground. But even when he briefly got Topuria down, the Spaniard reversed the position quickly. From start to finish, it was Topuria’s fight.
He has now beaten three of the sport’s biggest names: Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. His rise has been one of the most dominant in recent UFC memory.
Soon after the win, the UFC brought in Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett, ranked eighth in the lightweight division, for a face-off in the cage. The two fighters have had personal tensions since 2021, after Pimblett made controversial comments about the Russo-Georgian war. Topuria, of Georgian heritage, took offence and the rivalry has been simmering since.
“If he thinks he’s ready, come on,” Topuria said, calling for the fight to take place in Las Vegas. Topuria has also named former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev as another target. Makhachev recently vacated the title as he prepares to move up to welterweight.
A night @TopuriaIlia will never forget 🌹#UFC317 pic.twitter.com/s9Yn3Z2qJX
— UFC (@ufc) June 29, 2025
Photo: Ian Maule/Getty Images
