Ilia Topuria stuns former champion with UFC 317 knockout: 'Thank God he didn't accept my challenge'

Sean O'Malley surrendered to Ilia Topuria 's ability (Photo: Montage/SUPER LUTAS)

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Ilia Topuria impressed! And many surrender to the talent of the double champion. The Georgian-Spanish fighter became champion of the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg) by defeating Charles do Bronx in the main fight of UFC 317 , last Saturday (28), in Las Vegas (USA). Some big names in the organization reacted to the feat. Former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg) Sean O'Malley reacted to the live fight with a feeling of relief.

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“Holy shit! Islam (Makhachev) vs. Topuria needs to happen. He’s up there with Jon Jones . He knocked out Volkanovski, he knocked out Max (Holloway), he knocked out Charles. Islam is coming in at 67 pounds? Holy shit. Who would face Ilia at 67 pounds? Holy shit, man.”, said Sean O'Malley in a video posted on his channel.

O'Malley immediately recalled the challenge he made to Topuria after defeating Marlon Vera in March 2024, in his first title defense.

“Thank God he didn’t accept my call-up. … After I beat ‘Chito,’ I called Ilia and he got scared and ran to 155. No, I’m kidding, thank God the UFC didn’t schedule that fight,” O’Malley said.

Ilia Topuria achieves unprecedented feat at UFC 317

In addition to the financial and media gains, winning the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg) forever changed the legacy of the Georgian-Spanish fighter. The tenth athlete to win titles in two different categories, El Matador is the first to achieve the feat with an undefeated record.

After 17 professional fights, no one has stepped into the octagon to face the champion and come away undefeated. Besides Alexander Volkanovski , Max Holloway , and Charles Oliveira , he also has victories against well-known figures in the sport, such as Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell.

Only two of Ilia Topuria's fights went to decision

Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

At just 28 years old and with 17 professional fights, Topuria is the second youngest to become a double champion, just behind Conor McGregor by a few days. Throughout his nine-fight career in the UFC, only Youssef Zalal and Josh Emmett survived Topuria's onslaught and were not knocked out or submitted.

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