‘Bigger than Conor McGregor’: Pros react to Ilia Topuria’s unbelievable UFC 317 title triumph
Ilia Topuria is on top of the MMA world. And it doesn’t look like anyone will knock him off anytime soon.
With one dynamite punch, Topuria knocked Charles Oliveira out cold and claimed a vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. Topura exuded confidence in the lead-up to the contest, guaranteeing he would add Oliveira to his already legendary list of knockouts and he delivered on that promise in spades.
Topuria now has knockout wins over Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski in his past three fights, giving him a case for arguably the best three-fight run in the history of MMA. “El Matador” also improved to 9-0 in the UFC and has never lost in 17 pro bouts.
He vacated the UFC featherweight title to chase 155-pound gold and now joins the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Amanda Nunes, Randy Couture, Conor McGregor and other luminaries as the only UFC fighters to hold belts in two weight classes.
Is Topuria bigger than McGregor now? At least a few fighters seem to think he’s now the face of the UFC.
Check out how pros reacted to Topuria’s momentous win below.
This path to greatness is bigger than Connor McGregor. #UFC317
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 29, 2025
Ilia Topuria is the UFC’s biggest superstar in the world right now #UFC317
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 29, 2025
Illa is the best fighter in ufc history fuck
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) June 29, 2025
Omg! #ufc317
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) June 29, 2025
@Topuriailia is 1000% the Legend Killer. Stamping his own legend status in the process. WOW Just WOW #UFC317
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) June 29, 2025
Wow Topuria is different #UFC317
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) June 29, 2025
That was absolutely nuts #ufc
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) June 29, 2025
Ran right into the propeller blade.
— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) June 29, 2025
Ilia is just going to knock out all my favorite fighters until I like him, ok I give up, don’t hurt anyone else lol #UFC317
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) June 29, 2025
This is INSANE. @Topuriailia made a deal with something/ someone. I don't know how to explain that. He's legit
— Mike “Beast Boy” Davis (@MikeDavisMMA) June 29, 2025
He really told Charles to bring a pillow…
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) June 29, 2025
UFC rly don’t fuck with Armen
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) June 29, 2025
Didn’t expect anything different but at the same time it’s surprising? https://t.co/0g1r5HK266
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) June 29, 2025
Topuria is different ! What a legend.
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) June 29, 2025
Quote of the night is “I gonna put my balls on your forehead” @Topuriailia
— Jason Mayhem Miller (@mayhemmiller) June 29, 2025