Will Ilia Topuria be the three-part champion? The UFC says it isn’t that quick. Ilia Topuria isn’t undefeated. He’s now undefeated and a two-division UFC champion. Recent from Charles Oliveira’s unimaginable first spherical knockout at UFC 317, Topuria added a light-weight belt to his trophy case, changing into the primary fighter to win a UFC title in two weight lessons with out inflicting any injury to his document. The left hook combo on the proper, ending Oliveira at 2:27 within the opening spherical, put the gang of T-Cell Area into Topuria’s place, cemented with frenzy as a generational expertise.
Ilia Topuria’s two divisions victory – Third Belt? The UFC says no
The rise of Ilia Topuria was fast and surgical. After a sequence of dominant performances, he knocked out Alexander Volkanovsky in February 2024 to win the featherweight title, ending Australia’s legendary reign. Later that 12 months, he turned the primary man to cease Max Holloway on a strike, defending the belt with authority. Nevertheless, when followers had been hoping to accept a protracted reign at 145 kilos, Topuria shocked everybody by opening up the title and rising to lighter.
His light-weight debut was not in concord. In the course of the Headling UFC 317 Worldwide Struggle Week, Topuria confronted Oliveira, a former champion recognized for her sturdiness and Brazilian jiu-jitsu magic. Few folks anticipated Oliveira to go quietly. Just a few anticipated him to go to the primary spherical. The accuracy and energy of the Topuria was absolutely on show. Oliveira hit the canvas earlier than the combat settled into rhythm. With victory, Topuria joined the elite group. Solely 9 different fighters maintain the UFC belt in two divisions.
Three UFC titles
Now, at 17-0, Topuria’s asks, what’s subsequent? Topulia in Spain and Georgia counsel even better ambitions. That is the third welterweight belt.
Ilia Topuria’s ambition for the third UFC title isn’t a momentary idea. Even earlier than the current conquest of the light-weight division, Topuria had hinted on the curiosity of Welterweight, the burden class 25 kilos above the unique featherweight dwelling. Throughout his feathered reign, he brazenly speculated about the potential of chasing the third belt.
“I thought of that.” He confirmed in a current interview after UFC 317, “Nevertheless, in my remaining dialog with the UFC, they personally requested me what sort of favor they like: “Do not inform us after the combat you wish to transfer to welterweight. Please promise us.” And I used to be like, “I vowed to make a promise.” “
Three division champions? Not too quick, the promotion says. But when Topuria’s observe document is any indication, he is not the kind to get in the best way of small issues like weight class. Nevertheless, the UFC has made it clear that Topuria’s two division benefits are ample for now. I’ve a welterweight dream.
The UFC historical past fighter jets don’t maintain world titles concurrently in three completely different weight lessons. A handful of them gained the belt in two divisions, together with names akin to Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo, however elusive triple champion standing has not been charged. Ilia Topria’s ambition to chase the third belt in welterweight will, if realized, make him the primary within the historical past of promotions to realize this feat.
