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

Sean O'Malley has surrendered to the ability to Ilia Topuria (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)

Ilia Topuria impressed! And many are amazed by the talent of the double champion. The Georgian-Spanish fighter became champion of the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg) by winning Charles of the 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 sense of relief.

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

O'Malley immediately remembered the challenge to Topuria after winning Marlon Vera, in March 2024, in his first belt 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 left undefeated. In addition to Alexander Volkanovsky, Max Holloway e Charles of the Bronx, he also has triumphs against well-known sports figures such as Josh Emmet and Bryce mitchell.

Only two of Ilia Topuria's fights went to decision

Ilia Topuria won Charles of the Bronx No. 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, behind only Conor McGregor for a few days. Over the course of nine fights in the Ultimate, only Youssef Zalal e Josh Emmett survived Topuria's momentum and were not knocked out or finished.