Ilia topuria achieved championship glory at UFC 317. He delivered a stunning performance. ‘El Matador’ knocked out Charles Oliveira cold. This victory secured the lightweight world championship. It happened on Saturday evening, June 28, 2025, in Las Vegas. The win adds significantly to Topuria’s fearsome reputation. Michael Bisping even speculated Topuria could be “The New Goat.”
While known for power, Topuria possesses exceptional fight IQ. This was evident in his preparation for Oliveira. He didn’t just rely on brute force. He dissected his opponent’s style meticulously.
The Strategic Key: Exploiting Backward Movement
Topuria spent months studying Charles Oliveira. He analyzed ‘Do Bronxs’s’ previous fights closely. This wasn’t casual viewing. It was a focused, strategic deep dive. Topuria aimed to uncover exploitable tendencies. His analysis led to a critical conclusion. Oliveira struggles when forced to move backward.
In an interview with the UFC’s ‘About Last Fight’, Topuria shared his insights. “As soon as I got the confirmation for the fight,” he stated, “I started watching all of Oliveira’s fights.” He emphasized his shift from general fan to specific opponent analyst. Topuria revealed his thought process. “When I watched him, I just thought, ‘he’s not going to be able to do anything against me’.”
He elaborated on Oliveira’s movement patterns. “He doesn’t move. He only goes forward. He doesn’t even know how to fight going backward.” This lack of backward footwork struck Topuria as a major deficiency. He contrasted this with his own knockout strategy. “The only time it usually takes me to knock someone out is the time I need to close the distance,” Topuria explained. However, Oliveira’s style negated this requirement. “But with him? He’s coming straight at me.”
Topuria anticipated the fight dynamics. “I knew we’d meet in the middle of the octagon.” This mutual forward pressure played directly into Topuria’s hands. It meant he didn’t need to chase. He could plant his feet and counter. He predicted the outcome confidently. “Once I start landing shots, he won’t even see them coming.” He acknowledged Oliveira’s status. “He’s at the highest level of the sport — but I’m the next level.”
UFC 317 Knockout Details
The fight itself unfolded as Topuria predicted. The opening minutes saw exchanges. Both fighters traded strikes. There was some grappling action too. Topuria landed the decisive blow swiftly. He dropped Oliveira with a combination. A right cross landed first. A follow-up left hook sealed the deal. Oliveira, a former champion, reportedly walked onto the right hand. He appeared unconscious before the left hook connected. Referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight. Topuria landed one additional shot on the ground. This first-round knockout solidified Topuria’s strategic advantage.
At 35, Oliveira is a veteran presence. He held the 155lb title from 2021 to 2022. Topuria’s victory maintains his undefeated record. He became a two-weight UFC champion with this win. He’s now part of an elite group. The 28-year-old Spaniard had previously held the featherweight belt. He knocked out Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024. He defended it against Max Holloway in October 2024. Topuria vacated the featherweight title in February 2025. He then targeted lightweight gold. Some fans see his consecutive KOs over Volkanovski, Holloway, and Oliveira as historic wins. Topuria had predicted knockout wins against all three. He fulfilled that prediction against Oliveira.
Reactions and The Lightweight Landscape
Topuria’s dominant win drew significant reactions. Beyond Bisping’s “New Goat” comment, Islam Makhachev also offered a notable “celebration” of the title change. Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley watched with awe. He compared Topuria’s star potential to Jon Jones. O’Malley praised his highlight-reel finishes. He highlighted Topuria’s climb across divisions. O’Malley sees him as a genuine superstar.
Interestingly, O’Malley revealed a surprising relief. He had previously called out Topuria. This was after beating Marlon Vera at UFC 299. He even offered to fight Topuria in Spain. Witnessing Topuria’s finish of Oliveira changed his perspective. O’Malley admitted he was happy the fight didn’t happen. “Thank God he didn’t take my callout,” he stated on his YouTube channel. He humorously claimed Topuria “ran and hid behind 155.” Then he quickly added he was glad the UFC didn’t book the fight. This candid admission showed realism about MMA careers. One loss can drastically change a fighter’s path.
Who is Next for the Lightweight King?
Attention quickly turned to Topuria’s next opponent. The new 155-pound champion has several potential challengers. Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett are prominent names. UFC President Dana White’s preference remains uncertain. White reportedly disapproved of the Pimblett face-off. He dismissed Gaethje’s “whacky” retirement ultimatum. He also expressed reservations about Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan withdrew from a planned UFC 311 fight against Makhachev. He cited a back injury and weight issues for that specific event.
However, former Strikeforce champion Josh thomson offered a strong opinion. Speaking on ‘The Weighing In Podcast’, Thomson argued for Arman Tsarukyan. He believes Tsarukyan, the current #1 contender, deserves the next shot. Thomson pointed to Tsarukyan’s actions at UFC 317. Tsarukyan successfully made the championship weight (155 lbs) on Friday. He served as the backup fighter for the main event. Thomson feels this “kinda rights the wrong for Dana White.” He believes Tsarukyan “righted the wrong.” This action, Thomson argued, positions Tsarukyan as next in line.
Thomson sees Tsarukyan as Topuria’s toughest test. Islam Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, reportedly agrees. Thomson speculates the UFC might pick Tsarukyan precisely to test the new champion. Tsarukyan holds a strong 9-1 UFC record since his debut loss to Makhachev. His wins include knocking out Beneil Dariush. He also defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. That win occurred before Topuria’s victory over Oliveira.
The Pimblett Possibility
Despite Tsarukyan’s strong case, the Paddy Pimblett rivalry looms large. Pimblett entered the cage after the Oliveira fight. He had a face-to-face interaction with Topuria. Their feud dates back years. It stems from a hotel altercation in 2022. Topuria reacted negatively to anti-Georgian tweets from Pimblett.
In the cage, Topuria verbally challenged Pimblett. He questioned Pimblett’s readiness. Pimblett is ranked eighth in the division. He acknowledged Topuria’s knockout win. However, he claimed Topuria would “never knock me out.” Topuria retorted Pimblett would be knocked out sooner than expected. The interaction escalated. Topuria appeared to shove Pimblett.
MMA legend Michael Bisping strongly predicts this fight. He thinks Topuria vs. Pimblett will headline a massive card. Bisping specifically mentioned Madison Square Garden. “I almost guarantee it,” Bisping stated with high confidence. “I can 99.999% say Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, they will be fighting at Madison Square Garden.”
However, Bisping also raised questions. Can Pimblett handle Topuria’s power? Can he secure takedowns? Can he submit Topuria? These questions remain unanswered until the fight happens. Another unnamed former UFC star also voiced doubts. They felt the matchup wouldn’t be competitive. They predicted Topuria would win easily. The Pimblett fight offers massive fan interest. It could be compared to Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov hype. Thomson speculated the UFC might delay it. They could want Topuria to fight Tsarukyan first. This would keep Topuria at lightweight longer.
Thomson also voiced a concern. Topuria is a former featherweight champion. He conquered lightweight. He might aim for welterweight next. If he gets a huge payday against Pimblett, he might move up. He might feel less motivated to face Tsarukyan. Pursuing a third title is a possibility.
Sean O’Malley is also interested in Topuria’s future lightweight matchups. He called an Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev fight highly significant. Although Makhachev may pursue welterweight next. O’Malley also approved of the Topuria vs. Pimblett possibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ilia Topuria believe Charles Oliveira had a weakness?
Ilia Topuria studied Charles Oliveira’s fights extensively before facing him at UFC 317. Topuria concluded that Oliveira “doesn’t know how to fight going backward” and “only goes forward.” He saw this lack of defensive footwork and predictable forward movement as a major vulnerability. Topuria believed Oliveira coming “straight at” him would eliminate the need to chase, creating opportunities to land strikes they “won’t even see coming.”
Who are the potential next opponents for Ilia Topuria after UFC 317?
Following his win over Charles Oliveira, potential next opponents for Ilia Topuria in the lightweight division include Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett. Tsarukyan is the #1 contender and served as backup at UFC 317. Pimblett engaged in a face-off with Topuria after the fight, fueled by a long-standing rivalry. Experts like Josh Thomson and Michael Bisping have debated who is most likely or most deserving of the next title shot.
Should Arman Tsarukyan fight Ilia Topuria next according to experts?
Former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson strongly believes Arman Tsarukyan should be the next challenger for Ilia Topuria’s lightweight title. Thomson argued that Tsarukyan “righted the wrong” with Dana White by successfully making weight as the backup fighter at UFC 317. Thomson sees Tsarukyan as the toughest potential test for Topuria in the division and believes the UFC will likely book this fight to challenge the new champion.
Conclusion
Ilia Topuria’s victory at UFC 317 was more than just a powerful knockout. It was a display of high fight IQ and strategic preparation. By identifying and exploiting Charles Oliveira’s perceived weakness when fighting backward, Topuria cemented his place at the top of the lightweight division. His undefeated record and two-division champion status make him a significant force in the sport. The conversations surrounding his next move highlight the exciting future of the lightweight division. Whether he faces the highly-ranked Arman Tsarukyan or the popular rival Paddy Pimblett, the path ahead for ‘El Matador’ promises more high-stakes encounters.
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