Lightweight champions have names, and their names are Ulli Topuria.
On Saturday, Topuria became the 10th two-division champion in UFC history. Charles Oliveira Win a free lightweight title UFC 317. It’s another epic performance from a fighter in the middle of a legendary run, already spitting on people where he might go.
Furthermore, before that, Alexandre Pantoja He made his own history and submitted his flyweight title to win. It leads to an increase At the joint main event. That victory was Pantoja’s fourth consecutive title defense, and made him firmly entrenched “Pants” as the second-best flyweight ever. And the biggest time demeTrious Johnson2nd place isn’t half bad.
If there’s a lot to discuss, address your questions.
Intergenerational execution of Ili Topurum
How threat is Ilia’s 3ko running to John Jones Goat Status?
– Jezza (@jezzamma) June 30, 2025
How threat is it that Ilia’s 3KO’s run to Jon Jones Goat status?
Well, first of all, John Jones is not a goat. I’ve spoken to many scientists and farmers and I’m sure they all can turn into goats. That being said, Jones is certainly one of the names that consider him to be an MMA goat, but it doesn’t just default it.
Now, to your question. Topuria does not represent a major threat to the goat crown, as there have never been fighter jets before. MMA’s greatness is not accumulating some good victories, but rather building brickwork on each brick, giving you an extraordinary victory and performance in a lifetime. With what he has accomplished so far, Topuria is certainly on the right path, but he is still very early in the journey. And he still has to go down the path, which is very difficult, as he is as talented as Topuria and the entire MMA community appears to be ready to push this mantle against him.
What I say is that Topuria is in a good shape to always pursue a great position, just like any fighter jet I’ve ever seen. He is clearly extremely talented and has already achieved an incredible amount at just 28 years old. In fact, I think he has accomplished more at this age than he ever had. He added that he is a beneficiary of some good timing (if he sticks to light weight, he now has a lot of great fighters in the back end of their careers that he can east). But he still has to do that.
It would be fun to watch him try it out.
Three division champions?
Of all the double champions, Topuria has the best chance to become a triple champion. Amirite?
– Daniel Pompilio (@elpompilio) June 29, 2025
Of all the double champions, Topuria has the best chance to become a triple champion, right?
He has the best chances in that he might actually get a chance, but I tell him the possibility of bringing the welterweight title very close to zero. He looked featherweight on Saturday. He can escape it with a light weight (though it’s about it soon), but I don’t think he has the same level of joy at 170. if Islam Makhachev wins welterweight belt if The UFC will fight that perhaps He was able to KO Islam. But I believe it when I see it.
I actually spent money on Alex Pereira. The “Poitan” already has two belts, and the heavyweights are abominations. And I chose Tom Aspinol to defeat Pereira, but when “Poitan” landed it and did something damn damn thing, it didn’t surprise me.
Lightweight title image
Do you think the UFCS hand would force that fight when the cuff moment when Paddy was brought into the cage due to an improvised face gets off at first glance at random? And is it even in that bed? Is Dana angry with Arman and Justin worth another title shot? Who else is there?
– Maple syrup dumbus (@obiwanquinnobi) June 30, 2025
Do you think the UFCS hand would force that fight when the cuff moment when Paddy Pinblet is brought into the cage is seemingly random and brought into the cage for an improvised face? And is that bad either? Is Dana angry with Arman and Justin worth another title shot? Who else is there?
yes. The UFC is going to chase this money and book Topuria vs. Pimblett.
You won’t find a bigger Justin Gesche fan than me, but the guy was defeated last year. If he was handed over, it would not be any tragedy. Along a similar line, Arman Tsarukyan is an obvious No. 1 contender, but after ruining UFC 311 he is in the kennel. Erman needs to open the pinblet door and win one.
So, does Pimblett deserve it? no. But what is worth it has nothing to do with it. Pimblett has a good victory, and there’s a heat behind this matchup, perhaps the biggest fight the promotion can put together.
On top of that, I’m a strong supporter of Topuria defeating Pimblett, but I’m interested to see how he carries with a big lightweight with a great jaw.
Book this fight.
It upsets the apple cart
Of Paddy, Arman, and Gaethje…… Will Arman have the best chance from these 3 to defeat Illia?
– laxmiddy34 (@laxmiddy34) June 29, 2025
Of Paddy, Arman, and Gaethje…… Will Arman have the best chance from these 3 to defeat Illia?
surely. The Arman Tsarukyan is a very good fighter. I would still choose Topuria over him, but I am far from confidence about it.
Pimblett is the next best of these three. He is huge in comparison and can take punches. It’s a pretty good starting point for trying to fight Toplia.
Gaethje is the last one. I love Gache, but like some of Toplia’s other enemies, he’s past his prime. Gaethje remains elite, but he is quickly lit at this stage of his career.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. demetrious Johnson
How much do you pay for Prime DJ vs. this Pantoja?
– Kaleb (@conceptualkaleb) June 30, 2025
How much do you pay for Prime DJ vs. this Pantoja?
$200. Probably more. Lots of money.
Demetrious Johnson is almost universally considered to be one of the greatest fighters of all time, and I somehow think that man is underestimated. At his peak, the man was a light a few years before his competition. Pantoja isn’t in the same stadium in that respect, but he clearly establishes himself as the best flyweight of this generation and the only man who can hold a candle in a “strong mouse.” That’s the rule, especially since I think they match in a fun way when they see them going to it. DJs were very cerebral and adaptable, but Pantoja has that extra gear and allows you to do yourself to the next level. It’s like Flyweight plastic guy vs. Hulk. Please sign up.
Joshua Van
Is there a chance that Josh Van will defeat his pants?
– seth (@sethmcalinden) July 1, 2025
Is there a chance that Josh Van will defeat his pants?
Speaking of great flyweights, Joshua Van has arrived.
On Saturday, Van attacked the fierce battle victory against Brandon Roybal, claiming himself as a seemingly flyweight competitor. Now he’s going to get his shot to crack the Pantoja issue, and I don’t like his chances, at least not this time.
Van is a great fighter, but he is not even fully formed yet. He is 23 years old and is studying work. When he was losing the fight, we saw some of that Saturday and found a way to disrupt the royal rhythm with an oblique kick. Such adaptability is great to help him, and will help him, but it is still raw. At this stage, Van doesn’t seem to have any tools that go past Pantoja.
But in a few years, it is very likely that it will change. I don’t know how things will unfold, but Pantoja can’t stay on top that long and Van is getting better. If these two meet again a few years later, Van might end Pantoja’s title reign. I certainly expect him to hold the belt at some point.
Pour it on Charles Oliveira
A bigger career, Charles Oliveira or Shogun Street?
-Dylan Barth (@dylaneb11) June 29, 2025
A bigger career, Charles Oliveira or Shogun Street?
First of all, this is an incredible question.
Secondly, pour one for Charles Oliveira.
Third, it’s General Rua, but I really had to think about it.
After he returned to light, the Renaissance Oliveira was truly eye-opening. He finished seven times in a row after beating Tony Ferguson (before he was completely washed), then Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Justin Goeche. It’s a hell of running. By doing that, he won the UFC title and solidified himself as the first Barott Hall of Fame. However, there are some issues.
(To be clear, everything I say is nitpick, but that’s what happens in conversations like this. When discussing the greatness of elite fighters, they are margins.)
The biggest one is loss. All fighters have them, but it’s difficult when Oliveira is almost everything bad. Of his 11 defeats, nine were stopped (only Arman Tsarkian and Frankie Edgar didn’t drive him out of there), eight of whom came before the run that defined his career. It’s kind of a bad timing and it’s difficult to move the past.
In contrast, the general lost almost many battles after a peak year in sports. Everyone knows about the general’s 2005 (the biggest year arguably the fighter jets have ever had), but after that, the general was wearing a heater nearly a decade later. And while people view the end of a general’s career as negative, it’s like life in MMA. If Oliveira has been stuck for another six years, he will probably go out the same way. However, the highs he achieved were not as great as the general’s highest.
Anyway, both men are definitely on the top 50 biggest fighters list and could be in the top 25.
Thank you for reading and thank you to everyone who sent me a tweet (XS?)! Are there any burning questions about at least some relevance to combat sports? You are lucky because you can send your tweets to me, @jedkmeshewand I will answer what I like! As long as they’re good it doesn’t matter whether they’re local or insane. Thank you once more, and take a look at y’all next week.