Last weekend, Ilia Topuria capped off an action-packed UFC International Fight Week pay-per-view card with a highlight-reel KO of Charles Oliveira – but where does it rank among some of the most iconic International Fight Week moments?
Today, we’re looking at five of the most iconic International Fight Week moments, in no particular order.
#1: Chris Weidman Knocks out Anderson Silva, Ending The Spider’s 2,457-Day Title Reign
GettyChris Weidman celebrates after a big win inside the Octagon.
It’s hard to put into words just how stunning Chris Weidman‘s UFC 162 win over Anderson Silva was. At the time, Silva hadn’t lost since 2006, and had won 16 straight fights inside the Octagon.
On the flip side, Weidman was just 9-0 in his professional career, and was fresh off a highlight-reel KO win over Mark Muñoz. To date, his second-round KO of Silva remains one of the biggest moments in International Fight Week history.
#2: Daniel Cormier Defeats Stipe Miocic to Win Heavyweight Gold
GettyDaniel Cormier celebrates with both title belts after a win in 2019.
During the UFC’s 2018 International Fight Week pay-per-view, Daniel Cormier cemented his place in the annals of MMA history by becoming just the second simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history.
At the time, Cormier hadn’t competed at heavyweight in years, instead choosing to focus on the light heavyweight division while AKA teammate Cain Velasquez fought at heavyweight.
On the flip side, Stipe Miocic hadn’t lost in four years, and had set the record for most consecutive title defenses at heavyweight.
#3: Conor McGregor Wins Interim Gold, Defeats Chad Mendes
GettyConor McGregor warms up inside the Octagon before the referee starts the fight.
In 2015, Conor McGregor was set to compete against Jose Aldo on the UFC 189 card. After a world tour to promote the fight, Aldo wound up being forced out of the bout at the eleventh hour, with Team Alpha Male’s Chad Mendes stepping in on short notice.
McGregor went on to finish the former title challenger in the second round, securing interim gold and catapulting himself to superstardom.
#4: Anderson Silva Defeats Chael Sonnen in Heated Grudge Match
GettyAnderson Silva prepares for his UFC 237 fight with Jared Cannonier.
On the first-ever UFC International Fight Week pay-per-view card in 2012, Anderson Silva closed the book on his storied rivalry with Chael Sonnen by finishing the American Gangster in the second round.
The fight had been years in the making after Silva’s jaw-dropping fifth-round submission win back in 2010, and between the two bouts, Sonnen pulled out all the stops when it came to mental warfare.
Despite that, Silva picked up his tenth successful title defense with another highlight-reel finish.
#5 Ilia Topuria Finishes Charles Oliveira to Win Lightweight Gold
GettyIlia Topuria celebrates following his knockout win against Charles Oliveira
Ilia Topuria’s big knockout win over Charles Oliveira last weekend cemented his place in MMA history as one of just ten fighters to win gold in two divisions, and on top of that, it earned Topuria the top spot on the UFC.com pound-for-pound ladder.
Additionally, it capped off a remarkable three-fun run for El Matador that previously saw him defeat Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
While Topuria’s story is still being written, when his run is over, MMA history will look back on his UFC 317 win as one of the defining moments of his career.
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