LAS VEGAS: At UFC 317, Spain’s Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira via first-round knockout to win the UFC lightweight title.
In February, former featherweight champion Topuria declared his intention to compete for the 155-pound title that was left vacant by former champion Islam Makhachev’s promotion to the welterweight class.
The 35-year-old Brazilian former lightweight champion Oliveira stood in his way of victory, temporarily using his extensive experience before losing.
Born in Germany to Georgian parents, he seemed little in the cage compared to Oliveira after a dominant run at featherweight that saw him go 16-0 as a professional. However, he defended well against the Brazilian’s grappling before displaying his striking prowess.
