The main event of UFC 317 saw Ilia Topuria KO Charles Oliveira with a highlight-reel combination. Despite concerns about his size at lightweight, Topuria proved that his power translates to 155.
Immediately, the MMA community began sharing reactions to the bout via social media. Everyone from up-and-coming stars to UFC legends sounded off.
Nate Diaz weighed in, taking a not-so-subtle jab at Jake Paul‘s fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr:
Henry Cejudo weighed in on Ilia Topuria’s KO, dubbing Topuria the biggest star in the sport:
Gilbert Burns was floored by the performance:
Adrian Yanez found himself just as stunned:
Arnold Allen saw the finish coming, while still managing to be stunned.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis heaped the praise on the newly minted champ.
With his win tonight, Ilia Topuria not only cements his place in UFC history as the first undefeated champion to hold belts in two divisions, but also catapults himself into an entirely new level of global superstardom.
Dana White Discusses Islam Makhachev Fight Following Ilia Topuria KO
Ilia Topuria’s knockout win over Charles Oliveira led to renewed calls for a fight between El Matador and Islam Makhachev.
Heading into the bout, Topuria indicated that if both he and Makhachev win their upcoming fights, the two could collide in a clash of champions.
While speaking with members of the press backstage at the post-fight press conference, Dana White fielded questions regarding the potential fight:
“I’d make that fight tomorrow.”
Despite that, Dana gave no indication as to when the Islam Makhachev-Jack Della Maddalena fight may take place. Instead, the UFC CEO played coy, stating that he’ll let the MMA community know when the fight is finalized.
Based on previous comments from both Makhachev and JDM, we could see the pair throw down at Madison Square Garden before the end of the year.
If Makhachev wins, a potential fight with Topuria would then likely be booked for the spring, after the pound for pound king observes Ramadan.
Dana White Says Ilia Topuria-Paddy Pimblett Staredown Shouldn’t Have Happened
After Ilia Topuria’s KO win over Charles Oliveira, the lightweight champ took a shot at Paddy Pimblett, who was sitting cageside.
His comments led to an impromptu staredown, which quickly turned physical as the two lightweights exchanged words.
As Dana White told members of the press during the post-fight press conference, the staredown never should’ve happened:
“I don’t know who the h*** let him in there. That should’ve never happened. Let’s start there. I was already back in my room, or that would’ve never happened.”
The physical altercation isn’t the first Topuria and Pimblett have been involved in. Back in 2022, the two were involved in a heated altercation in London after The Baddy made offensive comments about Georgians online.
Considering Pimblett is ranked No. 8 on UFC.com, it seems unlikely that he winds up getting the next crack at the title. Despite that, given the bad blood between he and Topuria, the UFC may look to cash in on the hype and book a grudge match.
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