On July 1, 2025, Ilia Topuria ascended to the top of the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, dethroning Islam Makhachev after a 600-day reign. His stunning first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 solidified his status as a two-division champion.
At UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, in Las Vegas, Topuria captured the vacant UFC lightweight title with a devastating knockout of Charles Oliveira at 2:27 of the first round. The win, following knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, marked Topuria’s third consecutive victory over elite fighters, earning him the Performance of the Night award. His undefeated 16-0 record and versatility across grappling and striking fueled his climb to the No. 1 pound-for-pound spot.
🚨 Ilia Topuria is the new pound-for-pound king in the UFC, surpassing Islam Makhachev who held the spot for over 600 days 🤯 pic.twitter.com/j3HveKUFB9
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 1, 2025Islam Makhachev, previously ranked No. 1, vacated the lightweight title to pursue the welterweight belt against Jack Della Maddalena. Topuria’s dominant performance prompted former champion Kamaru Usman to endorse him as the top pound-for-pound fighter, citing his conquest of higher-calibre opponents compared to Makhachev’s single-division dominance.
Topuria’s rise to pound-for-pound king, as the first Georgian-Spanish fighter to win titles in two UFC divisions, marks a pivotal moment in MMA. His victories over Volkanovski, Holloway, and Oliveira are considered one of the greatest three-fight runs in UFC history. The 27-year-old’s boxing-heavy style and confidence position him as a breakout star, with the potential to fight in Spain’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, as noted by ESPN.
Topuria has expressed interest in a superfight with Makhachev, potentially at welterweight, to become the UFC’s first three-division champion. However, UFC legend Chael Sonnen insists Topuria must first prove himself against contenders like Arman Tsarukyan.
