Ilia Topuria’s remarkable victory at UFC 317, where he secured his second divisional championship, has made waves across the MMA world, particularly for the remarkable confidence and poise he displayed throughout the event. The Ilia Topuria UFC 317 title win has left fighters, fans, and UFC commentator Jon Anik both astonished and introspective, as the magnitude of Topuria’s dominance became impossible to overlook in Las Vegas on fight night.
Topuria’s Composed Rise and Record-Setting Octagon Moments
The atmosphere heading into the UFC 317 main event was charged, with Topuria exuding an air of destiny even before stepping into the octagon to face former champion Charles Oliveira. Anik, who delivered commentary alongside Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, described Topuria’s demeanor as exceptional, noting that he projected victory days before the belts were on the line, going as far as celebrating the title ahead of the fight itself. This display of unwavering self-assurance set the stage for what would become an unforgettable performance.
Topuria’s journey to this moment has been extraordinary by any UFC standard. Just months prior, in February 2024, Topuria delivered a dramatic knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, claiming the featherweight crown. Then, eight months later at UFC 308, he became the first competitor ever to finish Max Holloway with strikes. The latest chapter in his rapid ascent occurred at UFC 317, where he once again finished a Hall of Famer, consolidating one of the most impressive three-fight strings in recent memory.
As Topuria’s victory over Oliveira unfolded inside a packed Las Vegas arena, Jon Anik became particularly animated in his reflections.
“It is nuts, it’s like nothing I’ve seen before,”
—Jon Anik, UFC commentator
Impact on Fighters and Spectators in the Arena
The energy in the venue after Topuria’s knockout was palpable. Longtime UFC observers noted that the fan section erupted in celebration while the fighter section took on a visibly subdued, almost shocked demeanor. LFA flyweight Phumi Nkuta, who attended with fellow fighter Aljamain Sterling, spoke of this contrast, highlighting the awe Topuria’s performance inspired among his peers and competitors.
Anik explained how such a feat might affect other major lightweight figures, especially those with a recent history against Oliveira, such as Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier. These top athletes saw firsthand how Topuria conquered an opponent considered to be in his prime. This dynamic, according to Anik, gives insight into the quiet astonishment that overtook the fighters’ section post-knockout.
“Just imagine if you are Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje, or Dustin Poirier, and you’re watching that play out,”
—Jon Anik, UFC commentator
“He’s still as hungry as ever to fight. So imagine what it’s like for some of Ilia Topuria’s contemporaries to be watching that, and I think that speaks to why that section was stunned. And thankfully as commentators, we were anything but silent because we have a job to do, but I think for a lot of fans, you and me, it’s like, dude, I’m not going to put anything past this guy. I wasn’t liking his chances at welterweight before this result, and then I’m thinking, my goodness, man, far be it for me to put anything past the guy. … This Ilia Topuria, man, he’s one of one, and his peers are certainly taking notice.”
—Jon Anik, UFC commentator
Comparisons and Parallels: Topuria, McGregor, and Mayweather
Analysts and fans have drawn a number of parallels between Ilia Topuria’s composure and that shown by past icons like Conor McGregor and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, especially in terms of pre-fight confidence and post-fight reactions. Anik remarks that, unlike some stars who celebrate with exuberant displays, Topuria remains nearly unaffected by the moment, approaching each fight outcome as if it were already determined in his favor. This calm confidence has set his aura apart from those who have preceded him in the UFC spotlight.
Reflecting on what it takes to consistently perform at the highest level, Anik referenced Mayweather’s legendary ability to always deliver in the ring, while emphasizing the nearly surreal level of control and anticipation Topuria has demonstrated on MMA’s biggest nights.
“We used to say about Floyd Mayweather, 50-0 is 50-0, he was never flat on fight night. You still got to go out and do it. But with this guy, it is almost as if he bends time.”
—Jon Anik, UFC commentator
Additionally, the discussion often returns to Topuria’s resemblance to McGregor, particularly in how sure of his destiny he appears both in and out of the cage. Yet, Anik insists that Topuria brings something distinct, blending stoic certainty with a ferocity that has translated into milestone victories and rapid accumulation of UFC gold.
Pound-for-Pound Rankings and the Era of Three Dominant Fighters
Following UFC 317, debates ignited over whether Topuria should be recognized as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, challenging the position long held by Islam Makhachev, who previously vacated his lightweight title to move to welterweight. While opinions may vary, Anik is quick to mention there are now three compelling candidates for the sport’s highest individual honor: Topuria, Makhachev, and Merab Dvalishvili.
Exploring how athletic excellence is measured in the present era, Anik pointed out the unique cases of Topuria and Dvalishvili, both of whom have maximized their opportunities by registering emphatic victories and fighting frequently, in contrast to Makhachev’s relatively lighter activity.
“So it’s hard to lose your number one slot if you’re Islam Makhachev if you haven’t lost a fight, but is it not crazy that we live in a world right now in which if you go to UFC.com and Islam Makhachev is not a champion anymore?”
—Jon Anik, UFC commentator
“But, I mean, my goodness, man. It’s splitting hairs. It’s a three-headed monster as far as I’m concerned, but if you just take Ilia and Merab and table Makhachev, who has been my No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world for what feels like half a decade, they’ve maximized their situation. Both of those two guys, maximize their utility and I don’t know, if you like knockouts, then Topuria is your guy over Merab. But in terms of like historical dominance, Merab is right there.”
—Jon Anik, UFC commentator
The Significance of Topuria’s Triumph and the Road Ahead
Ilia Topuria’s emphatic win at UFC 317 did more than earn him another championship—it solidified his reputation as an unstoppable force in the lighter weight classes. Not only has Topuria proven capable of dispatching elite competition repeatedly, but he has also altered the way fighters and fans alike view the power dynamic in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
With his unique blend of self-belief and technical dominance, Topuria now commands the respect of rivals like Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Islam Makhachev, as well as the awe of onlookers in MMA circles. As discussions about pound-for-pound supremacy and future title defenses continue, the MMA community watches closely to see if Topuria’s confidence and performance will reshape UFC history even further in the months to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a mixed martial artist from Georgia and Spain. He fights in the Lightweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). At this time, Topuria holds the title of UFC Lightweight Champion.