Ilia Topuria made UFC history by capturing the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317, knocking out Charles Oliveira in the opening round, his second fight at 155 lb. This victory crowned him not just a two-division champion, but also UFC’s new No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, overtaking Islam Makhachev.
ALSO READ: Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena: A Potential Superfight Brewing for Late 2025.
Undefeated & Unstoppable
Topuria (18-0) has built a reputation on explosive finishes: 15 stoppages in 18 fights, including highlight KO wins over Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. His featherweight reign ended with a stunning TKO of Volkanovski in February 2024, and he followed it with another brutal knockout of Holloway in October. His first-round KO of Oliveira sealed lightweight gold and completed a dominant championship moment.
New P4P King
Following UFC 317, Topuria leapt from No. 4 to No. 1 in UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings, marking the first time an undefeated two-division champion topped the list. His rise has displaced Islam Makhachev, reflecting the MMA community’s belief in his ceiling as the sport’s elite performer.
Why This Covers Greatness
- First-round knockout over Oliveira immediately placed him among the elite.
- Undefeated in two divisions, a historic first in UFC history.
- Pound-for-pound No. 1 following a flawless UFC 317 performance.
- Future looks massive: potential superfights with Makhachev, Pimblett, or even Della Maddalena loom.
Ilia “El Matador” Topuria’s ascent isn’t hype, it’s history in the making. With peak power, technical evolution, and a spotless record across weight classes, he’s not just UFC’s lightweight champ, he’s now the undisputed best fighter on the planet.
