Ilia Topuria defeats Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 with first-round knockout

A new UFC lightweight champion was crowned in Las Vegas on Saturday night. In May, Islam Makhachev vacated the 155lb belt to pursue championship glory at welterweight. Ilia Topuria did the same thing when he dropped his featherweight title to jump up a division. The gamble paid off as he won the vacant lightweight title by knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira in the UFC 317 main event. Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Topuria delivered on his pre-fight promise to KO Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317. ‘Do Bronx’ started well and was able to mix it in grappling and striking exchanges. However, he was clipped by a massive straight right that knocked him out cold in Las Vegas. Topuria landed a follow-up hook as Oliveira’s lifeless body collapsed to the floor in a heap. The 28-year-old now boasts a 17-0 record after becoming a two-weight champion in MMA’s premier promotion.

What’s next for Ilia Topuria? A fight with Paddy Pimblett appears to be on the horizon for the new lightweight king. ‘The Baddy’ hopped in the cage to face-off with Topuria after his epic knockout win. Pimblett gave him credit but insisted he would be unable to crack his famously granite chin. Security stepped in when Topuria pushed his long-time rival when the trash talk got too much.

According to the source: Bloody Elbow.