Will Ilia Topuria change into a three-division champion? The UFC says not so quick. Ilia Topuria isn’t simply undefeated. He’s now undefeated and a two-division UFC champion. Contemporary off a jaw-dropping first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Topuria added the light-weight belt to his trophy case, making him the primary fighter to win UFC titles in two weight lessons and not using a blemish on his report. The fitting-hand-left-hook combo that completed Oliveira at 2:27 of the opening spherical despatched the T-Cellular Area crowd right into a frenzy and cemented Topuria’s standing as a generational expertise.
Ilia Topuria’s Two-Division Triumph – Third Belt? UFC Says No
Ilia Topuria’s rise has been swift and surgical. After a string of dominant performances, he claimed the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024, ending the Australian’s legendary reign. Later that 12 months, he grew to become the primary man to cease Max Holloway by strikes, defending his belt with authority. However simply when followers anticipated him to settle in for an extended reign at 145 kilos, Topuria shocked everybody by vacating the title and shifting as much as light-weight, citing difficult weight cuts and an absence of compelling challengers.
His light-weight debut was no tune-up. Headlining UFC 317 throughout Worldwide Battle Week, Topuria confronted Oliveira, a former champion identified for his sturdiness and Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizardry. Few anticipated Oliveira to go quietly. Fewer anticipated him to go within the first spherical. Topuria’s precision and energy have been on full show – Oliveira hit the canvas earlier than the battle may even settle right into a rhythm. With the win, Topuria joined an elite group: solely 9 different fighters have held UFC belts in two divisions.
Three UFC Titles
Now at 17-0, Topuria’s is asking, what’s subsequent? The Spanish-Georgian Topuria has hinted at a good greater ambition: a 3rd belt at welterweight.
Ilia Topuria’s ambition for a 3rd UFC title isn’t a spur-of-the-moment notion. Even earlier than his current conquest of the light-weight division, Topuria hinted at an curiosity in welterweight, a weight class 25 kilos above his authentic featherweight residence. Throughout his featherweight reign, he overtly speculated about the opportunity of chasing a 3rd belt, citing the dearth of contemporary challenges at decrease weights and the enchantment of constructing historical past as a three-division champion.
“I thought of it,” he admitted after UFC 317 in a current interview, “however the final conversations I had with the UFC, they personally requested me the favor: ‘Don’t inform us after the battle that you just wish to transfer to the welterweight division. Make us a promise.’ And I used to be like, ‘Promise? I used to be like, ‘I swear to vow.’ “
Three-division champion? Not so quick, says the promotion. But when Topuria’s observe report is any indication, he’s not the sort to let just a little factor like weight lessons stand in his manner. Nonetheless, the UFC has made clear that, for now, Topuria’s two-division dominance is sufficient – leaving the welterweight dream.
No fighter in UFC historical past has ever held world titles in three totally different weight lessons on the similar time. A handful have received belts in two divisions, names like Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo stand out, however the elusive triple-champion standing stays unclaimed. Ilia Topuria’s ambition to chase a 3rd belt at welterweight would, if realized, make him the primary within the promotion’s historical past to realize this feat.
