Ilia Topuria Knocks Out Charles Oliveira, Becomes Two-Division UFC Champion

At UFC 317 on June 28 in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, Spanish-Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria delivered a dominant performance by knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira in the first round and capturing the lightweight title (up to 70.3 kg). This victory made Topuria a two-division UFC champion — he previously held the featherweight belt (up to 65.8 kg).

Fight Recap
The bout began with intense exchanges. Oliveira attempted to take the fight to the ground, but Topuria defended well and maintained control on the feet. At 2:27 of the first round, Topuria landed a precise right jab followed by a powerful left hook that sent Oliveira crashing to the canvas. A series of follow-up strikes forced the referee to stop the fight — a first-round knockout win.

This triumph marked Topuria’s 15th career finish and extended his undefeated record to 17-0. He became one of the few fighters in UFC history to claim titles in two different weight classes.

In his post-fight interview, Topuria stated, “We planned every move with my team — jabs, hooks, angles. And when the moment came, I finished it.” Many experts are already calling him one of the top rising stars in MMA.

Post-Fight Clash with Pimblett
Right after the win, an unexpected confrontation erupted as British fighter Paddy Pimblett stormed the interview zone, trying to provoke Topuria. The two clashed briefly before Topuria shoved Pimblett, and security intervened. This incident sparked fan interest, with analysts speculating that UFC may set up a fight between them — despite Arman Tsarukyan being the higher-ranked contender.

Topuria proved not only his skill and power but also his status as one of the most entertaining and talked-about fighters today. His victory over Oliveira is already hailed as one of the most spectacular knockouts of 2025. Now, fans eagerly await the next challenger for the new lightweight king — Tsarukyan or Pimblett.