Topuria’s Dominance: Is the Two-Division Title Next After Crushing Oliveira at UFC 317?

Watching Ilia Topuria dismantle Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 was like seeing a chess master against a rookie. The featherweight champion didn’t just win – he made it look effortless. Now, with the lightweight belt around his waist, the question buzzing through the MMA world is obvious: Is Topuria destined to become the next two-division champion?

I’ve covered dozens of championship fights, but this performance left me speechless. Let’s break down what happened and what might come next for the UFC’s newest superstar.

The Demolition of a Legend

Oliveira entered UFC 317 as the most accomplished submission artist in UFC history. Topuria made him look ordinary. From the opening bell, “El Matador” controlled distance, timing, and pace with surgical precision.

What shocked me most wasn’t just the win – it was the ease of it all. Topuria neutralized Oliveira’s ground game completely. When the end came in the third round, it felt inevitable rather than surprising.

“I am the best fighter in the world pound-for-pound,” Topuria declared afterward. Looking at how he dismantled a future Hall of Famer, it’s getting harder to argue against him.

Two Belts, One Mission

Holding championships in two divisions simultaneously puts fighters in rarefied air. Only a select few have accomplished this feat:

Now Topuria has the opportunity to add his name to this exclusive list. But the path won’t be easy.

What Makes Topuria Different?

Watching Topuria fight is like watching someone who’s playing a different sport than his opponents. His combination of:

• Lightning-fast hand speed
• Devastating knockout power
• Elite-level grappling
• Extraordinary fight IQ

It’s this complete package that makes him so dangerous. Unlike some two-division champions who struggled with the weight difference, Topuria looked physically imposing at lightweight – perhaps even more powerful than at featherweight.

The Challengers Awaiting

If Topuria decides to pursue the two-division champion status, he’ll need to defend both titles. That means facing killers in two weight classes.

At featherweight, Max Holloway is waiting after his spectacular knockout of Justin Gaethje. At lightweight, Islam Makhachev would present a wrestling challenge unlike anything Topuria has faced.

You know what makes this story so compelling? It’s not just about fighting – it’s about witnessing potential greatness in real-time. We might be watching the early chapters of one of MMA’s greatest careers.

The Dana White Factor

UFC President Dana White seemed absolutely blown away by Topuria’s performance, calling it “one of the most impressive championship wins” he’s ever seen.

White has historically been supportive of fighters chasing two-division status when they’ve proven dominance in their original weight class. Given Topuria’s marketability, fighting style, and growing star power, I’d bet White is already thinking about the promotional possibilities.

The Historical Perspective

What makes Topuria’s situation unique is how he’s positioned to potentially hold titles simultaneously in the UFC’s two most competitive divisions. Featherweight and lightweight have historically been talent-rich weight classes with few dominant champions.

The fact that Topuria has made it look easy against elite competition in both divisions speaks volumes about his ceiling as a fighter.

What’s Next for “El Matador”?

My guess? Topuria will defend his lightweight title first, probably against Islam Makhachev in what would be a stylistic clash for the ages. The grappler versus the complete fighter – a classic MMA storyline.

After that, a return to featherweight to face Holloway would be the logical move. The timing works perfectly to create two mega-fights within the next 8-10 months.

The scary thing? Topuria is only 27 years old. He’s just entering his athletic prime, which means his best performances might still be ahead of him.

The Bottom Line

After what I witnessed at UFC 317, I’m convinced Topuria has the tools, mentality, and opportunity to become the next simultaneous two-division champion. His demolition of Charles Oliveira wasn’t just a win – it was a statement that we’re witnessing the emergence of MMA’s next transcendent superstar.

What do you think? Could Topuria become the most dominant two-division champion in UFC history? Or will the challenges of defending two belts prove too much? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Want more UFC coverage and exclusive fighter interviews? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest delivered straight to your inbox.