MMA World is shocked by furious knockout

In a moment that shook the MMA world, Ilia Topuria delivered on his bold promise to knock out Charles Oliveira in the opening round of their vacant lightweight title fight at UFC 317, securing his place among the sport’s elite. The 27-year-old Spaniard remained undefeated with a record of 17-0, becoming the 10th two-division champion in UFC history—and the first to do so while maintaining an unblemished record.

Topuria needed just 2:27 to finish the former lightweight king. A crisp right hand to the chin sent Oliveira stumbling, and a follow-up left hook sealed the deal. Although Oliveira attempted to recover, the initial blow was decisive. It was a striking culmination of Topuria’s confidence and preparation; he even hosted a celebratory dinner the night before.

“I already said it,” Topuria declared after the win. “I represent the new era of mixed martial arts. This is the next level of the game.”

Topuria’s victory wasn’t just about a highlight-reel finish. He displayed excellent takedown defense against Oliveira, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous submission artists in UFC history. When Oliveira did manage to bring the fight to the ground, Topuria quickly reversed the position, ending up in a dominant spot. It was a full-spectrum performance from a fighter now making a serious case for being the best pound-for-pound athlete in the sport.

This win adds to a historic run in Topuria’s career, which includes knockouts of legendary former champions Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway making his lightweight triumph all the more impressive. In true UFC fashion, the drama didn’t end with the knockout. The organization wasted no time stoking the flames of a long-standing grudge. Paddy Pimblett, the outspoken lightweight from Liverpool, was cageside at the T-Mobile Arena and entered the Octagon following the bout to confront Topuria face-to-face.

The two fighters have history dating back to 2021, when Pimblett made controversial comments about the Russo-Georgian War, prompting anger from Topuria, who is of Georgian descent. The tension between them has only grown since then, and now with Topuria holding the belt there’s more at stake than ever. “If he thinks he’s ready, come on. You blond b----.”

He also told ESPN earlier this week that he’d prefer to defend his newly acquired title against Pimblett in Las Vegas, keeping the spotlight squarely on the sport’s most buzzworthy rivalry.

With Oliveira behind him and Pimblett on deck, Topuria has also expressed interest in former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who recently vacated his belt to move up to welterweight. If Topuria continues his winning ways, that super fight could soon be in the cards. Whether it’s Pimblett, Makhachev, or another top contender, one thing is clear: Ilia Topuria isn’t just chasing greatness he’s embodying it.