Topuria delivers on his promise to win through first-round knockout after transferring up in weight to combat Oliveira.
Spain’s Ilia Topuria scored a shocking first-round knockout victory over Charles Oliveira to say the UFC light-weight title at UFC 317, with Alexandre Pantoja securing a third-round submission win over Kai Kara-France to retain the flyweight title within the co-main occasion.
Former featherweight champ Topuria introduced in February that he was going to step as much as the 155-pound (70kg) division to combat for the belt vacated by former champ Islam Makhachev’s transfer as much as the welterweight division.
Standing between him and the title on Saturday night was 35-year-old Brazilian former light-weight champ Oliveira, who briefly introduced his huge expertise to bear earlier than being defeated.
After a dominant run at featherweight, which noticed him transfer to 16-0 as an expert, Topuria, who was born in Germany to Georgian dad and mom, appeared small within the cage in contrast with Oliveira, however he defended effectively in opposition to the Brazilian’s grappling earlier than showcasing his putting energy.
Oliveira, who was stripped of the light-weight belt in Might 2022 when he missed weight for a defence in opposition to Justin Gaethje, appeared good throughout a short trade on the mat, however Topuria disengaged to carry the combat again to the toes, and shortly afterwards, Oliveira’s night ended.
The 28-year-old shocked Oliveira with a crunching proper hand and adopted it up with a left hook that despatched Oliveira crashing to the mat. His eyes glazed as his again hit the canvas and Topuria fulfilled his pre-fight prediction of a first-round knockout win.
“I already mentioned it – I characterize the brand new technology of the combined martial arts – that is the following stage of the sport. That is the following factor, and that is what I characterize,” Topuria mentioned in a post-fight interview.
“I did precisely what we had deliberate: lot of jabs, proper hand, left hook, and growth – his lights have been out.”
Within the co-main occasion, Brazil’s Pantoja dominated New Zealander Kara-France earlier than taking his again and locking in a rear bare choke 1 minute and 55 seconds into the third spherical to defend his flyweight crown.
Elsewhere on the primary card, Joshua Van beat Brandon Royval through unanimous determination at flyweight, whereas Beneil Dariush beat Renato Moicano through unanimous determination of their light-weight bout, and Payton Talbott defeated Felipe Lima through unanimous determination at bantamweight.