Ilia Topuria officially Defeated Makhachev in an unexpected way

At UFC 317, the MMA world witnessed a seismic shift. In one of the most brutal and emphatic knockouts in recent memory, Ilia Topuria dismantled former champion Charles Oliveira in the very first round. With that spectacular finish, ‘El Matador’ became not just the new UFC lightweight champion, but also the promotion’s latest two-division world champion, etching his name in UFC history.

Now, the MMA landscape looks very different. Ilia Topuria is not only sitting atop the lightweight division, but he has also conquered what many thought was impossible: he has overtaken Islam Makhachev in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Ilia Topuria Rises to #1 in UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings

Following his destruction of Charles Oliveira, Ilia Topuria has officially taken the #1 spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. This is an earth-shattering development considering that Islam Makhachev, who previously ruled the rankings with an iron grip, has now dropped to #2.

Topuria’s meteoric rise from featherweight phenom to two-division terror was fast-tracked by his dominant performances, elite striking, and unshakable self-belief. After dethroning Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title and defending it successfully against Max Holloway, Topuria made the move up in weight to chase greatness—and achieved it.

He’s now one of only 11 fighters in UFC history to win titles in two different weight classes. And with his name now at the top of both the P4P list and lightweight rankings, there’s no doubt: Ilia Topuria is the UFC’s new superstar.

Shake-Up in the Lightweight Division

With Topuria’s ascension, the entire lightweight division has been reshuffled. Here’s how things stand now:

• Champion: Ilia Topuria

• #1 Contender: Islam Makhachev

• #2 Contender: Arman Tsarukyan

• #3 Contender: Justin Gaethje

• #4 Contender: Mateusz Gamrot

• #5 Contender: Benoit Saint-Denis

Meanwhile, Charles Oliveira, following his KO loss, has tumbled to #15 in the P4P rankings and dropped significantly in the lightweight standings as well. Most notably, Dustin Poirier has fallen out of the top 5 for the first time since 2021, following his defeat at UFC 269 against Oliveira.

What Makes Ilia Topuria So Dangerous?

Topuria isn’t just a fighter with knockout power—he’s a complete package. His fight IQ, mental toughness, and movement make him a terrifying matchup for anyone. His ability to close distance with explosive combinations, while also possessing an underrated ground game, puts him in the conversation as one of the most well-rounded champions in UFC history.

In his post-fight breakdown, Topuria explained that he studied Oliveira meticulously. “He doesn’t fight well going backward,” he said. “The only time it usually takes me to knock someone out is the time I need to close the distance. But with him? He’s coming straight at me.”

It was that deep analysis that led to the thunderous KO. And it’s that kind of preparation that separates great fighters from legends.

Who’s Next for Ilia Topuria?

After such a statement win, fans are already speculating: who will Topuria fight next?

Paddy Pimblett

Believe it or not, the brash Briton may be next in line. Pimblett shocked fans by stepping into the cage after Topuria’s win to engage in a heated faceoff. The UFC may be eyeing this clash as a blockbuster PPV opportunity. And surprisingly, Topuria seems open to it.

Despite Pimblett not being the top contender, his popularity, charisma, and long-standing rivalry with Topuria make the fight an easy sell. Topuria said, “Even I’m interested in that fight.”

Arman Tsarukyan

Tsarukyan is arguably the most deserving contender, with elite wrestling and a recent win over Beneil Dariush to his name. However, Tsarukyan might need one more win to solidify his title shot, especially with Topuria now a megastar and the UFC likely prioritizing PPV sales.

Justin Gaethje

While Gaethje’s violent fighting style would make for an entertaining bout, Topuria may not be interested. “I want challenges,” he hinted recently, suggesting that legacy fights and massive stakes are now his priority.

What About Islam Makhachev?

This is the million-dollar question.

Despite sitting as the #1 contender, Islam Makhachev has expressed interest in moving up to welterweight. He’s already hinted at a possible super fight with the likes of Leon Edwards or Shavkat Rakhmonov, and that timeline might push a Topuria-Makhachev showdown further into the future.

Topuria himself said in an interview: “Realistically, I don’t think that fight [against Islam] is gonna happen anytime soon… I’d love to do it, but I’ll be surprised if I get a call for that.”

So, while the Topuria vs. Makhachev super-fight could define an era, it may not be on the immediate horizon.

Rankings Shift Across the Board

UFC 317 didn’t just shake up lightweight—it caused a ripple effect across multiple divisions:

• Alexandre Pantoja surged to #5 in the P4P list, thanks to his dominance in the flyweight division.

• Joshua Van, a young flyweight, leapt an astounding 11 spots and is now the #1 contender in the 125-lb division.

• Merab Dvalishvili dropped to #3 in the P4P rankings despite remaining unbeaten, showing just how seismic Topuria’s win was perceived.

Is Ilia Topuria the UFC’s New Global Star?

There’s no question that Dana White has been looking for a new face of the promotion. With Conor McGregor out of the picture, Jon Jones aging, and Khabib retired, the UFC needed a star who could transcend markets and demographics.

Enter Ilia Topuria:

• Bilingual and globally marketable (Spanish-Georgian heritage)

• Flashy yet respectful personality

• Deadly skills inside the cage

• Perfect record (now 16-0)

Topuria is ticking all the boxes. His walkout presence, devastating knockouts, and ability to sell a fight make him a dream for the UFC.

If he continues to dominate, he might just become the new face of mixed martial arts worldwide.

Final Thoughts: A New Era Begins

Ilia Topuria’s victory at UFC 317 wasn’t just another title win—it was a changing of the guard. The man known as “El Matador” has now conquered two divisions, dethroned Charles Oliveira, and surpassed Islam Makhachev in the pound-for-pound rankings.

The UFC may have found its new king.

Is Ilia Topuria the future of the UFC? Or is he already its undisputed present?

Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: the Topuria era has begun, and everyone else is now chasing him.