Ilia Topuria KOs Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Wins Lightweight Belt to Become Two-Division Champion (Video)
Ilia Topuria KOs Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Wins Lightweight Belt to Become Two-Division Champion (Video) originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
In a historic night at UFC 317, Ilia Topuria solidified his place among MMA's elite by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round to claim the vacant lightweight title. The undefeated Spaniard, moving up from featherweight, needed just over two minutes to dismantle the former Brazilian champion, becoming the UFC's 10th two-division titleholder in stunning fashion.
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The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas erupted as Topuria's pinpoint striking proved too much for Oliveira, who had never been finished so quickly in his career.
From the opening bell, Topuria showcased the boxing mastery that has defined his meteoric rise. Oliveira attempted an early takedown but was shrugged off by Topuria, who then hip-tossed the Brazilian to the canvas in a display of surprising grappling dominance.
Back on the feet, Topuria's jab began to find its mark, setting up the fight-ending sequence. A crushing overhand right followed by a left hook sent Oliveira crashing to the mat, and follow-up hammerfists sealed the deal at 2:27 of Round 1, leaving no doubt about the new king at 155 pounds.
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Here is the finishing sequence:
The victory marks Topuria's second UFC title in just 16 months, having previously dethroned Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight strap before vacating it to pursue lightweight gold. His knockout of Oliveira joins a highlight reel that already includes his aforementioned knockout over Volkanovski, and his iconic third-round stoppage of Max Holloway—the first time Holloway had ever been knocked out in MMA.
At 28 years old, Topuria's precision, power, and fight IQ may make him the sport's best pound-for-pound fighter today. "El Matador" silenced doubters with a performance that echoed his pre-fight confidence.
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Topuria also fulfilled his prediction when he said in an interview with Ariel Helwani, 'I'm going to finish him in the first round.'
For Oliveira, the loss is a brutal setback in his long and storied career. 'Do Bronx,' who holds the record for most UFC finishes, had no answer for Topuria's speed and power.
Topuria's win sparks immediate speculation about his next move. With Islam Makhachev vacating the lightweight belt to chase welterweight gold, potential matchups against contenders like Justin Gaethje or Arman Tsarukyan loom. He also faced off against Paddy Pimblett in the post-fight interview, which is not the most compelling matchup, but it is the fight that the UFC might book in order to boost ratings.
Related: Dana White's Latest Update at UFC Press Conference Puts Ilia Topuria's Championship Dreams on the Line
Related: UFC Champion Sounds Off on Joe Rogan Podcast: Refuses to Fight Unless Dana White Books Dream Matchup
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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