Ilia Topuria added another highlight reel knockout to his resume at UFC 317.
After taking over the featherweight division with Alexander Volkanovsky and Max Holloway’s consecutive Kos, “El Matador” conquered another weight class on Saturday night, securing a grand first-round finish for Charles Oliveira, winning the vacant lightweight world title.
As if not impressive enough to move on to the perfect 17-0, Topuria’s final three wins within the Octagon have even the most whimsical of combat fans who believe “Elmatador” is now the best P4P mixed martial artist on the planet.
“It’s amazing. It’s difficult to explain in simple terms,” Topreia told reporters in a postwar interview. “Being someone like Volk, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira is something that many people in the world can’t say. What’s amazing is not just the way I play, but the fact that I’ve called the shot all the way through. I said I’m going to knock him out in the first round.”
What’s next for Ilia Topuria?
We don’t know what Topuria will next, but if he goes his own way, it will be a much-anticipated clash with title contender Paddy Pimblett.
Topuria and Pimblett engaged in a passionate gaze following the UFC 317 headliner, the encounter that left Dana White Fuming behind.
“It’s not a fight,” White said after Topria and Pinblett squared. “It shouldn’t happen. Whether it’s fun to watch or not gives sh*t. It shouldn’t happen. What’s more, he won the second title in the higher division.
Recently, middleweight title holder Dricus du Plessis claimed Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett will co-main the event at UFC 319 in August, claiming the winner is likely to challenge Topuria later this year.
“The co-main events are Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje,” Du Plessis said in a video of the rounds being held on social media. “It’s a great battle. A great battle.”