ILIA TOPURIA is the new king of the UFC’s lightweight division following a brutal stoppage of Charles Oliveira.
The former featherweight king stepped up in weight early on Sunday morning to vie for the vacant 155lbs strap in the main event of UFC 317.
Ilia Topuria locked horns with Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317 in Las Vegas[/caption]
Topuria, 28, was looking to make history with victory over the former lightweight champ[/caption]
Standing between him and joining an elite club of fighters was former champion and fan favourite Oliveira.
Throughout the build-up to the bout, Topuria, 28, promised to get his hands on the lightweight strap with a devastating knockout.
And he made good on his promise with yet another highlight reel KO.
Topuria’s stoppage of Oliveira has potentially paved the way for a grudge match with rival Paddy Pimblett.
Brit submission specialist Pimblett has a rivalry with Topuria that dates back to 2022.
‘The Baddy’ put himself in title contention in April with a statement-making stoppage of fan favourite Michael Chandler.
So it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the UFC brass opt to give the Liverpudlian the first crack at new lightweight king Topuria.
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