Ilia Topuria is officially recognized as the top hunter in the UFC after his devastating knockout victory over UFC 317.
The Georgian hunter entered the Octagon on Saturday with the chance of becoming a two-weight champion after he had left the UFC-Fedweight Title months earlier.
Ilia Topuria took on Charles Oliveira for the UFC Lightweight Championship, but the fight did not even pass the first round.
Topuria beat Oliveira malignant after just two and a half minutes, a thunderous right hand sent the former champion who waved to the ground and he was unconscious before he hit the canvas.
That victory made Topuria the new UFC Lightweight Champion, but also ointment it as the top hunter in the entire UFC.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Ilia Topuria brought in Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili in the pound-for-pound rankings
At only 28 years old, Topuria is recognized as the top hunter in the UFC while climbing the ranking to become the best pound-for-pound hunter in the entire promotion.
He extended his unbeaten streak to 17-0 with the victory over Oliveira to become a two-weight champion.
As reported by John Morgan on X (formerly known as Twitter), his big win at UFC 317 Topuria helped to jump both Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili the #1 pound-for-pound hunter in the UFC.
He also noted that Alexandre Pantoja jumped to fifth place at the same event, after his third round entry on Kai Kara-France.
Morgan wrote: “Ilia Topuria is officially the new no. 1 pound-for-pound hunter of the UFC. @Topuriailia goes up two places to take the top position, for Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili, in the ranking-up date after #UFC317.
“Alexandre @Pantojamma also moves up four places to no. 5.”
It is difficult to argue with his status as the best pound-for-pound hunter in the UFC, given the names that have tried and have not defeated in the Octagon.
Ilia Topuria has eliminated some of the best hunters in the world on their way to #1 pound-for-pound
Topuria earns its place on top of the UFC ranking list after an incredible five-year-old run since its UFC debut.
He debuted in the promotion with a victory over Youssef Zalal in 2020, before gaining impressive Ko victories on Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall and Jai Herbert.
His entry victory over Bryce Mitchell on UFC 282 showed a different direction on the Knock outpartist, and his dominant performance about Josh Emmett proved that again the following year.
Opponent date's todcharles Oliveiruufc 317June 28, 2025knockoutmax hollowayufc 308OcTober 26, 2024knockoutalexander Volkanovskiufc 298february 17, 2024knockoutjosh Emmettufc on ABC: EMMETT VS Topuriajune, 2023Unanicecececececececececececory decision. Mitchellufc 282dsember 10, 2022 Submissionjai HerbertUFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinallmarch 19, 2022knockouryan Hallufc 264July 10, 2021knockoutdamon Jacksonufc on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettoridecember 5, 2020knockoutyUSEF Zalufc Zalufc Zalufc Zalufc Zalufc Zalufc Zalufc Salufc Zalufc Zalufc Zalufc Zalufc Zalalufc Zalalufc Zalalufc Zalalufc Zalalufc Zalalufc Zalalufc Zalalufc SalaFCs. Sandhagenoctober 11, 2020Unanimous Besissen
The last three victories of Topuria, however, show his incredible references. The Georgian eliminated Alexander Volkanovski on UFC 298 to claim the UFC belt of featherweight, a title he once won in a third round knockout victory over Max Holloway.
Still unbeaten, Topuria has left his belt for a shot on the lightweight title, which he won in just 157 seconds by leaving Oliveira unconscious on the canvas in an impressive victory.