Ilia Topuria has gold around his waist once again.
In the UFC 317 main event Saturday, Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) knocked out Charles Oliveira in 2:27 and claimed a championship – this time, at lightweight.
The fight was wild for as long as it lasted. Oliveira (35-11 MMA, 23-11 UFC) was cut in the opening minute. When he tried to drag the fight to the canvas, Topuria reversed his attempt and landed on top.
Oliveira attempted a heel hook, which Topuria wiggled away from. Back on the feet, Topuria cracked him with a straight right hand that instantly snatched Oliveira’s consciousness from him. Two more follow-up shots smashed Oliveira’s face before the fight was waved off.
After the fight, the UFC had Topuria rival (and next title challenger?) Paddy Pimblett enter the cage for a faceoff. The two exchanged words before Topuria shoved him backward.
Topuria, 28, won the UFC featherweight title in October. He vacated the title months later, citing weight cut issues. A breakthrough star in the Spanish and Georgian markets, Topuria became the first undefeated fighter to win a second UFC title.
Oliveira, 35, moves to 2-3 in his most recent five bouts. Saturday’s loss is his first knockout/TKO defeat since December 2017.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 317 results:
- Ilia Topuria def. Charles Oliveira via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:27
- Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Kara-France via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 1:55
- Joshua Van def. Brandon Royval via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Beneil Dariush def. Renato Moicano via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Payton Talbott def. Felipe Lima via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Gregory Rodrigues def. Jack Hermansson via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:21
- Jose Delgado def. Hyder Amil via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 1, 0:26
- Tracy Cortez def. Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Terrance McKinney def. Viacheslav Borshchev via submission (mounted guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:55
- Jacobe Smith def. Niko Price via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:03
- Jhonata Diniz def. Alvin Hines via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
