At UFC 317, Ilia Topuria secured a decisive victory, solidifying his position as the successor to Islam Makhachev in the lightweight division with a powerful finish.
After Makhachev vacated the 155-pound title, the former featherweight champion headlined the International Fight Week pay-per-view, competing for the vacant belt.
In the opening round, Topuria delivered a brutal knockout blow to Charles Oliveira, claiming the championship and once again fulfilling his confident forecast made before the bout.
Topuria`s dominant performance appears to have convinced some observers that he possesses the capability to move up in weight and defeat Makhachev via knockout.
Jens Pulver Believes Ilia Topuria Would KO Islam Makhachev at Welterweight
During a live broadcast on the UFC Fight Pass YouTube channel, UFC Hall of Famer Jens Pulver shared his real-time reactions to UFC 317 alongside commentators TJ De Santis and Michael Alexander.
Like many viewers, `Little Evil` expressed shock and admiration as Topuria dropped Oliveira with a clean combination. Pulver was so impressed that he promptly declared the Spanish fighter capable of knocking out any opponent he faces, specifically mentioning Makhachev.
“I told you,” Pulver stated during the stream. “He’s gonna knock them all out; that combination. Jab to the body, boom, boom, those inside hooks, done! He’s gonna knock out Makhachev. I told you, he’s gonna go up to Makhachev, he’s gonna knock him out. That’s his goal.”
Pulver emphasized the severity of the finish, adding, “Man, he didn’t just knock (Oliveira) out, he hurt him badly, very badly. He put him unconscious… He hits too hard.”
Ilia Topuria`s Promise Regarding a Welterweight Move Post-UFC 317
Despite the speculation and calls for a potential clash from fans like Pulver, a fight between Topuria and Makhachev at welterweight does not seem likely in the immediate future.
The newly crowned champion himself addressed this after the fight, revealing a specific request from the UFC. Topuria explained that he promised the promotion he would not ask to move up to the welterweight division to pursue Islam Makhachev following his title win at UFC 317.
“I’ve thought about it, but in my last conversation with the UFC, they personally asked me a favor: ‘Don’t tell us after the fight that you want to move to the welterweight division. Give us a promise.`” Topuria recounted.
He added with a touch of humor, “And I was like, ‘Ah, I promise,’” while jokingly crossing his fingers.
For “El Matador” to potentially aim for a historic third divisional title in a highly anticipated matchup against Makhachev, the Dagestani fighter would first need to achieve multi-weight success himself, possibly by challenging Jack Della Maddalena later this year.
Percy Harlow