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Ilia Topuria's UFC Dominance and Future

Published 5 hours ago3 minute read

The aftermath of UFC 317 in Las Vegas saw Ilia Topuria cement his status as a two-division champion, claiming the vacant lightweight title after a ferocious first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira. Topuria, who had accurately predicted the exact outcome of the fight, demonstrated remarkable poise and power, immediately meeting Oliveira in the center of the cage and overwhelming him with a precise right-left combination that toppled the former champion, followed by two decisive ground punches.

A significant moment following Topuria's victory was an unexpected face-off with popular lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett. Initiated by UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who spotted Pimblett cageside and called him into the Octagon, the confrontation quickly escalated. Topuria, feeling supremely confident, challenged Pimblett with provocative language, to which Pimblett responded, resulting in a minor scuffle. This spontaneous interaction, while electrifying for fans, drew the ire of UFC CEO Dana White, who expressed his disapproval, stating it should never have happened.

The impromptu confrontation ignited a debate over Topuria’s next opponent. While the spectacle with Pimblett has generated significant buzz, promising a big-money fight due to their existing bad blood and Pimblett's fan base, Arman Tsarukyan has a more legitimate claim. Tsarukyan, who was the back-up fighter for the UFC 317 main event and underwent the rigorous weight-cutting process, is considered a dangerous stylistic matchup for Topuria. However, his lower fan appeal and a past last-minute withdrawal from a fight with Islam Makhachev might jeopardize his immediate title shot in favor of the more commercially appealing Pimblett bout.

Topuria's confidence and fighting prowess are undeniable. He walks into the Octagon with a captivating ease, making even high-stakes fights appear effortless. His pre-fight prediction for Oliveira, followed by its exact execution, exemplifies his self-belief. His ability to remain un-rattled, even when engaging in verbal jousts with rivals, underscores his mental fortitude. This extends to his training, where fellow UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili attests to Topuria's exceptional intelligence, organizational skills, and devastating striking power, admitting Topuria hits too hard for them to spar effectively. Dvalishvili, who shares a Georgian background with Topuria, highlights his countryman's multi-lingual abilities and profound understanding of mixed martial arts.

Topuria's path to two-division glory includes a remarkable two-fight run against featherweight legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, both of whom he knocked out. His consistent ability to finish highly regarded champions and former champions with apparent ease has led many to consider him a potential superstar, raising questions about his pound-for-pound ranking. The intensity of his performances, characterized by destructive finishes rather than lengthy decisions, sets his reign apart from those of other legends like Demetrious Johnson and Georges St-Pierre, whose reigns were marked more by consistency and dominant decisions. As Topuria continues his unbeaten streak, the MMA world eagerly anticipates how long he can maintain this dominant

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