Ilia Topuria News

UFC commentator gushes over Ilia Topuria's run: 'It's almost as if he bends time'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 3, 2025
One UFC commentator continues to be amazed by the current run Ilia Topuria is on. After knocking out two all-time greats in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway back-to-back, Topuria decided to relinquish the featherweight gold in an effort to move up to 155 pounds. While some considered it to be a bold move for Topuria, he ended up starching Charles Oliveira in the opening frame to lay claim to the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Chael Sonnen argues Ilia Topuria should already have 3 UFC belts
BJ Penn Staff - July 3, 2025
If you ask Chael Sonnen, Ilia Topuria should already have three UFC titles—not two. Topuria is undefeated at 17-0. His last three wins have been particularly impressive. First, he knocked out featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski to claim that division’s title. Then he defended the featherweight belt with a knockout o another legend in Max Holloway—who had never been stopped with strikes before. He then vacated the featherweight belt, and moved up to lightweight, where he knocked out a third legend in Charles Oliveira to claim the division’s vacant title.

Ilia Topuria calls Paddy Pimblett one of the "easiest fights" at lightweight: "I could choose the way I finish him"
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2025
Ilia Topuria believes Paddy Pimblett would be an easy fight for him, and one of the easiest fights in the division. After Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to win the vacant lightweight title, Pimblett went into the Octagon to face off with him. Although Dana White wasn’t happy that happened, many fans are hoping that is the next fight. But if it is the next fight, Topuria has full confidence that he will win.

Arman Tsarukyan sends a message to Ilia Topuria: "See you soon"
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan has sent a message to Ilia Topuria as he looks to get the next title shot. Topuria became the UFC’s lightweight champion with a stunning first-round knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Following the win, Paddy Pimblett came into the Octagon to face off with Topuria, but it’s not definitive that he will be next.

Ilia Topuria gives his thoughts on possible UFC title fight against Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - July 1, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has given his thoughts on a potential title fight against Justin Gaethje. Last weekend, Ilia Topuria cemented his position as the #1 pound for pound fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was able to defeat Charles Oliveira to capture the lightweight title, joining a small group of people who have been able to win belts in two different divisions.

What's next for the stars of UFC 317?
Cole Shelton - June 30, 2025
The UFC was in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday for a solid UFC 317 card. The main event saw Ilia Topuria taking on Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. The co-main event saw Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight strap against Kai Kara-France. Ultimately, it was Topuria who scored a first-round knockout win over Oliveira to become the lightweight champ. Pantoja dominated Kara-France, en route to a submission win to defend his flyweight title. Following UFC 317, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.

Fighter claims he had to stop sparring with UFC star Ilia Topuria: 'Thank God my head is fine'
BJ Penn Staff - June 30, 2025
New two-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria hits so hard that his fellow Georgian Merab Dvalishvili—also a UFC champ—had to stop sparring with him. Topuria was back in action at UFC 317 last Saturday. He knocked out Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant lightweight belt in the main event. His lightweight title win followed a brief reign at featherweight, where he scored two similarly stunning KOs against Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

Islam Makhachev's coach explains why Jack Della Maddalena is a tougher matchup than Ilia Topuria
Cole Shelton - June 30, 2025
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Islam Makhachev, believes his fighter is taking the hardest fight possible. Makhachev vacated his lightweight title to move up to welterweight to face Jack Della Maddalena. It’s an intriguing matchup, but after Ilia Topuria won at UFC 317, many fans want Makhachev back at 155lbs to face Topuria.

Joe Rogan names one fighter who should be Ilia Topuria's next opponent after UFC 317
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 30, 2025
Joe Rogan has one name who he thinks Ilia Topuria should be matched with following UFC 317. Topuria went one-on-one with Charles Oliveira in the main event of Saturday’s PPV card. The two collided for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. The fight hit the mat briefly before Oliveira was stood back up. Once the action resumed on the feet, Topuria clocked Oliveira with a right hook, followed by a left for the knockout victory.

Paddy Pimblett shares grisly plan for Ilia Topuria in aftermath of UFC 317
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 29, 2025
Paddy Pimblett takes his feud with Ilia Topuria personally. Pimblett was in attendance to witness Topuria secure UFC gold in a second weight class. “El Matador” defeated Charles Oliveira to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion. The title was vacated by Islam Makhachev, who is moving up in weight.

Arman Tsarukyan hurls ducking claims at UFC 317 winner Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 29, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria is already avoiding him. Topuria just scored his third knockout victory in a row against another future UFC Hall of Famer. He went one-on-one with Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. “El Matador” capped off UFC 317 in Las Vegas with a first-round knockout victory.

Dana White left in awe following Ilia Topuria's sensational UFC 317 title win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 29, 2025
Dana White was just as impressed as anyone who witnessed Ilia Topuria starch Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Topuria and Oliveira fought for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship this past Saturday in Las Vegas. “El Matador” was moving up in weight following his reign with UFC featherweight gold. After Topuria avoided a leg submission attempt from “do Bronx,” he delivered some leg kicks as Oliveira was on his back before referee Marc Goddard ensured the fight returned to the feet. Shortly after, Topuria slept Oliveira with a right hook, followed by a left.

Pros react after Ilia Topuria KO's Charles Oliveira at UFC 317
Chris Taylor - June 28, 2025
Tonight’s UFC 317 event was headlined by a fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira for the promotion’s vacant lightweight title. Topuria (17-0 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308 this past October (see that here). Shortly following that first career featherweight title defense, ‘El Matador’ announced that he would be vacating the 145lbs strap in order to move up to the promotion‘s lightweight division.

UFC 317 Results: Ilia Topuria KO's Charles Oliveira (Video)
Chris Taylor - June 28, 2025
We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 317 results, including the lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira. Topuria (17-0 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308 this past October (see that here). Shortly following his first career featherweight title defense, ‘El Matador’ announced that he would be vacating the 145lbs strap in order to move up to the promotion‘s lightweight division.

UFC 317: 'Topuria vs. Oliveira' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - June 28, 2025
The Octagon returns to T-Mobile Arena for tonight’s UFC 317 event, an 11-bout fight card headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira. Topuria (16-0 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308 this past October (see that here). Shortly following his first career featherweight title defense, ‘El Matador’ announced that he would be vacating the 145lbs strap in order to move up to the promotion‘s lightweight division.

Israel Adesanya makes UFC 317 prediction for Charles Oliveira vs. Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 27, 2025
Israel Adesanya has made his pick for the UFC 317 main event between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria. Oliveira and Topuria will be competing for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship on Saturday. The two will do battle inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Once the fight begins, Islam Makhachev will officially vacate the 155-pound gold.

WATCH | Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira share wholesome moment ahead of UFC 317 fight
BJ Penn Staff - June 26, 2025
Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are set to fight for UFC gold in just over 24 hours, but there is clearly nothing but respect between then. Topuria and Oliveira will meet in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 317 card in Las Vegas. They’ll be competing for the vacant lightweight title, which Islam Makhachev left behind with plans to move up to welterweight.

Charles Oliveira expects Ilia Topuria to "fold" at UFC 317: "This is for my legacy"
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2025
Charles Oliveira believes he will be too much and will make Ilia Topuria fold at UFC 317. Oliveira is set to face Topuria in the main event of UFC 317 for the vacant lightweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup, and despite Oliveira being a sizeable underdog, he has plenty of confidence that he won’t just beat, but will finish Topuria to once again become the lightweight champion.