Ruthless Topuria wins second title before shoving Pimblett
Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira in ruthless fashion to win the lightweight title and become a two-division champion at UFC 317 in Las Vegas.The Georgian-Spaniard, who vacated his featherweight belt earlier this year, ended the fight in the first round with a brutal straight right-left hook combination.The 28-year-old became only the 10th double champion in UFC history as he extended his unbeaten run to 17.Topuria then faced off with and shoved Britain's Paddy Pimblett, potentially setting up a mouth-watering title bout between the two rivals."I don't think [Pimblett's] going to accept the fight. If you think you're ready, come on, bring him here," said Topuria.Liverpool's Pimblett was shown on television cameras sporting a big grin and rubbing his hands together, before he entered the octagon and clashed with Topuria."That was a heavy knockout but you will never knock me out. I'd finish you," said Pimblett.The pair have history, after a dispute at a hotel prior to UFC London in 2022.Pimblett has staked his claim for a title shot recently, rising to eighth in the UFC lightweight rankings following a dominant win against Michael Chandler in April.
Topuria dominates again
The title bout between Topuria and Brazil's Oliveira was set up after it was announced former champion Islam Makhachev would be vacating his belt to move up to welterweight.Topuria had a stellar 2024, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, but confirmed he would leave the featherweight division because of the difficult weight cut.Oliveira, 35, was looking to become the first two-time lightweight champion in UFC history.Both fighters were cheered during their walkouts and it was the confident Topuria who struck first, opening a cut above Oliveira's eye.After Topuria got the better of a grappling exchange on the ground, the fight then returned to the feet before he delivered his highlight reel moment.As Oliveira stepped in, Topuria landed a flush, straight right before connecting with a left hook, leaving the Brazilian flat out on the canvas.
Topuria celebrated by drinking an imaginary cup of tea before hoisting a UFC title belt over each shoulder.The spectacular win over the popular Oliveira follows knockouts of fan favourites Volkanovski and Holloway as Topuria cemented his status as one of the most explosive fighters on the roster."I represent a new generation of mixed martial arts. This is the next level of the game," said Topuria."I did exactly what we had planned. Right hand, left hook and boom - his lights went out."In the co-main event, Brazil's Alexandre Pantoja retained his flyweight title by submitting New Zealand's Kai Kara-France in the third round.Pantoja, 35, secured a rear-naked choke to top off a dominant performance and make the fourth defence of his belt.
Fans want Topuria-Pimblett - analysis
The rivalry between Topuria and Pimblett has been brewing since the Briton threw a bottle of hand sanitiser at him during a confrontation at a London hotel in 2022.With the pair in different weight classes, it looked like a bout would never materialise but that changed when Topuria moved up to lightweight earlier this year.With Pimblett ranked eighth in the lightweight rankings he may not seem the logical choice as Topuria's next opponent, but stranger things have happened.Armenia's Arman Tsarukyan, who is ranked first, and third-ranked American Justin Gaethje may have stronger claims for a title shot, but Pimblett would be the most fan-friendly option.The 30-year-old, who has won all seven of his fights in the UFC, earned the biggest win of his career against Chandler in April, but Topuria represents an imposing challenge.There are always questions about whether a fighter's punching power will translate when they move up a division, but Topuria answered them emphatically with his ruthless knockout of Oliveira.
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