Ilia Topuria
La Leyenda
Georgia
Easily wins vacant lightweight belt
Topuria won the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Charles Oliveira via KO (punches) at 2:27 of Round 1 at UFC 317 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
After destroying absolutely everyone put in front of him at featherweight, Topuria moved up and dispatched a future Hall of Famer in Oliveira in less than three minutes, earning a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus along the way. The power and the hand speed are all-world and will clearly play in the higher weight class. Topuria and Charles fought to fairly even terms for about two minutes before Ilia unloaded a one-two combination which sent Oliveira into another realm. Referee Marc Goddard couldn't get in there quick enough to call things off. Dating back to February 2024, Topuria's last three fights are knockouts of Oliveira, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. It's one of the most impressive runs in the history of the sport. There are multiple possible challengers for Topuria's first title defense, but the UFC brought Paddy Pimblett into the cage for a showdown after the result was read, so that would appear to be the direction the company is leaning. Paddy has been very impressive to date, but Topuria would be a gigantic favorite if that ended up being the fight that's made (as opposed to other prospective matchups against Arman Tsarukyan or Justin Gaethje).
After destroying absolutely everyone put in front of him at featherweight, Topuria moved up and dispatched a future Hall of Famer in Oliveira in less than three minutes, earning a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus along the way. The power and the hand speed are all-world and will clearly play in the higher weight class. Topuria and Charles fought to fairly even terms for about two minutes before Ilia unloaded a one-two combination which sent Oliveira into another realm. Referee Marc Goddard couldn't get in there quick enough to call things off. Dating back to February 2024, Topuria's last three fights are knockouts of Oliveira, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. It's one of the most impressive runs in the history of the sport. There are multiple possible challengers for Topuria's first title defense, but the UFC brought Paddy Pimblett into the cage for a showdown after the result was read, so that would appear to be the direction the company is leaning. Paddy has been very impressive to date, but Topuria would be a gigantic favorite if that ended up being the fight that's made (as opposed to other prospective matchups against Arman Tsarukyan or Justin Gaethje).
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Will fight Charles Oliveira
Topuria will fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28 in a lightweight bout, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Topuria vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship with intentions to move up to lightweight earlier this year, and he'll get his wish granted with this thrilling matchup against Oliveira. Topuria's most recent fight came against Max Holloway on Oct. 26 last year, when he successfully defended the UFC featherweight championship with a knockout win in the third round. Even though Topuria is among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, it's unclear how he'll handle his first fight in a new weight class.
Topuria vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship with intentions to move up to lightweight earlier this year, and he'll get his wish granted with this thrilling matchup against Oliveira. Topuria's most recent fight came against Max Holloway on Oct. 26 last year, when he successfully defended the UFC featherweight championship with a knockout win in the third round. Even though Topuria is among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, it's unclear how he'll handle his first fight in a new weight class.
Vacates featherweight title
Topuria will vacate the UFC Featherweight Championship with intentions to move up to lightweight, according to UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
The vacancy left by Topuria opens the door for a featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, which will take place at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami. In the meantime, a fight announcement for Topuria is expected to be forthcoming, and multiple possibilities are on the table. Current lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev still has some unfinished business with Arman Tsarukyan, so it's unclear if Topuria will cut the line. There have also long been rumors that Makhachev would eventually move up to welterweight, which would leave the 155-pound belt up for grabs. Not much is known yet, but a lightweight title fight is almost certainly on the horizon for Topuria in some way, shape or form.
The vacancy left by Topuria opens the door for a featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, which will take place at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami. In the meantime, a fight announcement for Topuria is expected to be forthcoming, and multiple possibilities are on the table. Current lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev still has some unfinished business with Arman Tsarukyan, so it's unclear if Topuria will cut the line. There have also long been rumors that Makhachev would eventually move up to welterweight, which would leave the 155-pound belt up for grabs. Not much is known yet, but a lightweight title fight is almost certainly on the horizon for Topuria in some way, shape or form.
Shines in first title defense
Topuria retained the UFC Featherweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Max Holloway via KO (punches) at 1:34 of Round 3 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
To give you an idea of what Topuria just accomplished, he becomes the first man to stop Holloway -- arguably the most durable fighter in the history of the sport -- via strikes. This was a very even fight up until the very end. Topuria absolutely landed the more damaging blows, but Holloway was firing off the volume and that kept it plenty competitive. Yet, as we have seen countless times in the past, Ilia's power was the true difference-maker. One huge right hand left Holloway stunned, and a left hook sent him sprawling to the mat. A few follow-up blows later and it was all over. Still just 27 years of age, Topuria has knocked out Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski in the span of just over eight months. It's one of the most impressive two-fight streaks in the history of the sport and makes him a legitimate candidate for Fighter of the Year recognition. While not confirmed, it appears as if the UFC is leaning towards a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski. In the meantime, Topuria will also walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
To give you an idea of what Topuria just accomplished, he becomes the first man to stop Holloway -- arguably the most durable fighter in the history of the sport -- via strikes. This was a very even fight up until the very end. Topuria absolutely landed the more damaging blows, but Holloway was firing off the volume and that kept it plenty competitive. Yet, as we have seen countless times in the past, Ilia's power was the true difference-maker. One huge right hand left Holloway stunned, and a left hook sent him sprawling to the mat. A few follow-up blows later and it was all over. Still just 27 years of age, Topuria has knocked out Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski in the span of just over eight months. It's one of the most impressive two-fight streaks in the history of the sport and makes him a legitimate candidate for Fighter of the Year recognition. While not confirmed, it appears as if the UFC is leaning towards a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski. In the meantime, Topuria will also walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Set to defend featherweight throne
Topuria will take on Max Holloway in a featherweight showdown at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Topuria is coming off a victory over Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC Featherweight Championship back in February. He'll now look to defend his throne in a huge showdown with Holloway, who has won three straight fights. Interestingly enough, Holloway's last three defeats dating back to 2019 all came at the hands of Volkanovski, who again Topuria recently disposed of in the second round with a Right Hook.
Topuria is coming off a victory over Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC Featherweight Championship back in February. He'll now look to defend his throne in a huge showdown with Holloway, who has won three straight fights. Interestingly enough, Holloway's last three defeats dating back to 2019 all came at the hands of Volkanovski, who again Topuria recently disposed of in the second round with a Right Hook.
Claims throne at featherweight
Topuria won the UFC Featherweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Alexander Volkanovski via KO (punches) at 3:32 of Round 2 at UFC 298 in Anaheim.
ANALYSIS
With all due the respect to the likes of Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell, many would say this was our first real look at Topuria against the top of the food chain at 145 pounds. Boy, did he pass the test. Ilia looked comfortable throughout fight week and was stunningly calm walking to the Octagon in the biggest moment of his career. He went out and backed up his words. Topuria got the better of the striking exchanges with Volkanovski, landing the more damaging blows for as long as the bout lasted. Ilia handled whatever was thrown back his way, changing angles and never letting Volk get in a groove. The finish came when Topuria crushed Volkanovski with a crushing right hand during an exchange along the fence. The blow shut down the now former-champion's system in an instant. Topuria added a couple follow-up shots, but referee Jason Herzog was on top of it, and it was clear as day this fight was over. We've seen young, up-and-coming fighters time and time again crumble under the bright lights. That did not happen here. Topuria has legitimate staying power in one of the deepest division's in the sport. The big winner here may be Max Holloway. Max lost three times to Volkanovski, but would appear to be back in the title picture now that we have a new champion. In the meantime, Topuria will also walk away with one of three $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening.
With all due the respect to the likes of Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell, many would say this was our first real look at Topuria against the top of the food chain at 145 pounds. Boy, did he pass the test. Ilia looked comfortable throughout fight week and was stunningly calm walking to the Octagon in the biggest moment of his career. He went out and backed up his words. Topuria got the better of the striking exchanges with Volkanovski, landing the more damaging blows for as long as the bout lasted. Ilia handled whatever was thrown back his way, changing angles and never letting Volk get in a groove. The finish came when Topuria crushed Volkanovski with a crushing right hand during an exchange along the fence. The blow shut down the now former-champion's system in an instant. Topuria added a couple follow-up shots, but referee Jason Herzog was on top of it, and it was clear as day this fight was over. We've seen young, up-and-coming fighters time and time again crumble under the bright lights. That did not happen here. Topuria has legitimate staying power in one of the deepest division's in the sport. The big winner here may be Max Holloway. Max lost three times to Volkanovski, but would appear to be back in the title picture now that we have a new champion. In the meantime, Topuria will also walk away with one of three $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening.