ILIA TOPURIA is the new king of the UFC’s lightweight division following a brutal stoppage of Charles Oliveira.
And he immediately made a beeline for Brit Paddy Pimblett just moments after becoming only the tenth two-weight champion in UFC history.
GettyIlia Topuria locked horns with Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317 in Las Vegas[/caption]
ReutersTopuria, 28, made history with a brutal first-round KO of Oliveira[/caption]
REUTERSTopuria closed the show with an academic hammer fist[/caption]
GettyThe Georgian-born Spaniard had an impromptu face-off with rival Paddy Pimblett[/caption]
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.
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 first-round knockout.
And he made good on his promise with yet another highlight reel KO, which blew the roof off the T-Mobile Arena.
Topuria’s stoppage of Oliveira has seemingly 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.
And the pair clashed in the cage after Topuria called out the cageside Brit.
GettyBrit Paddy Pimblett lapped up the moment after being shoved by Iloia Topuria[/caption]
Pimblett said to Topuria as they faced off: “Well done, lad.
“That was a heavy knockout, respect… but you will never knock me out.”
Topuria responded: “I’m going to take your head, you little p***y.
“I’m going to put my balls on your forehead, you little p***y!”
A fired-up Pimblett said: “I never get knocked out, I’ll finish you little man.”
And seconds before shoving ‘The Baddy’, Topuria said: “Get your bum arse out of here.”
Security intervened and escorted Pimblett, who was lapping up the moment, out of the cage.
Topuria was in fine fettle from the start of the fight, brilliantly stuffing a takedown from submission specialist Oliveira after 30 seconds.
Shutterstock EditorialVictory over Oliveira saw Ilia Topuria write his name into the UFC’s history books.[/caption]
And it ended up being Topuria who grounded the fight with a beautiful hip toss, which saw him land in side control.
Oliveira came close to adding yet another submission to his incredible haul with a heel hook.
Topuria, however, stayed calm and managed to escape the submission attempt.
The pair eventually made it back to their feet, with Oliveira begrudgingly getting off his back after referee Marc Goddard ordered to him.
And just moments later, he was rendered unconscious with a short crooked right hand and a follow-up left hook.
I’m going to put my balls on your forehead, you little p***y!
Ilia Topuria to Paddy Pimblett
An academic right hammerfist closed the show and brought about the coronation of a new king of the UFC.
A fired-up Topuria told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview: “I already said it.
“I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts.
“This is the next level of the game. This is what I represent.
“I did exactly what we had planned. Boom, his lights were out.”
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