The UFC landscape has shifted dramatically within the wake of UFC 317, as Ilia Topuria, the newly crowned lightweight champion, has officially claimed the No. 1 spot within the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings, overtaking former lightweight king Islam Makhachev. This seismic change follows Topuria’s electrifying first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira, a result that not only cemented his status as a two-division champion but in addition signaled the dawn of a brand new era in mixed martial arts.
A Star-Making Performance at UFC 317
Topuria (17-0) entered UFC 317 with the arrogance of a person who had already seen his destiny. Facing Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title, Topuria delivered on his pre-fight promise by knocking out the Brazilian legend just two and a half minutes into the primary round. The correct hand that sent Oliveira crashing to the canvas was a press release, not only to the division, but to all the sport.
With this victory, Topuria became the tenth fighter in UFC history to carry championships in two weight classes, and notably, the primary to accomplish that while maintaining an undefeated record. It was a feat achieved with an efficiency and dominance that drew immediate comparisons to Conor McGregor’s historic run, but with a growing consensus that Topuria’s recent body of labor could also be much more impressive.
The Pound-for-Pound Shake-Up
The UFC’s latest rankings update reflects the magnitude of Topuria’s achievement. He leaps two spots to seize the highest position within the pound-for-pound list, pushing Islam Makhachev, who had held the No. 1 spot, right down to second place. Merab Dvalishvili rounds out the highest three, while Alexandre Pantoja’s own stellar run at flyweight sees him rise to No. 5.
Ilia Topuria is officially the UFC’s recent No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.@Topuriailia moves up two spots to take the highest position, ahead of Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili, within the rankings update following #UFC317.
Alexandre @PantojaMMA also bumps up 4 spots to No. 5. pic.twitter.com/jHPkfXsyZd
— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) July 1, 2025
This reshuffling is greater than symbolic. The pound-for-pound rankings are a measure of a fighter’s dominance across all divisions, and Topuria’s resume now boasts consecutive knockouts over featherweight icons Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, followed by his destruction of Oliveira at lightweight. Within the eyes of many, including former pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman, Topuria’s run is unparalleled in today’s MMA landscape.
“I give Ilia Topuria pound-for-pound,” Usman said. “Who has shown all of the skill sets, all of the facets of the sport, in addition to he has and still put them away along with his hands?”
Islam Makhachev’s reign because the pound-for-pound leader was marked by technical brilliance and a string of dominant title defenses at lightweight. Nevertheless, his recent vacating of the lightweight belt, ahead of a planned move to welterweight, opened the door for Topuria’s ascent. Makhachev’s record (27-1) and his victories over elite competition remain impressive, however the momentum and star power now belong to Topuria.
Despite this, Makhachev’s legacy is secure. He stays the No. 1 contender at lightweight and remains to be ranked No. 2 pound-for-pound, with the potential to reclaim the highest spot should he capture gold in a brand new division or return to lightweight for a super-fight.
Topuria’s meteoric rise is the product of each skill and timing. Since debuting within the UFC in 2020, he has dispatched a who’s who of contenders with a mix of knockout power and grappling acumen. His signature victories include:
Charles Oliveira (UFC 317, June 2025): First-round KO for the lightweight title.
Max Holloway (UFC 308, October 2024): Third-round KO, first to ever finish Holloway by strikes.
Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 298, February 2024): Second-round KO to say the featherweight belt.
Topuria vacated the featherweight title earlier this yr, citing weight-cutting difficulties and a desire to pursue greatness at lightweight. The move has paid off spectacularly, as he now stands atop the UFC’s best division and all the sport.
Topuria’s coronation because the pound-for-pound king is greater than a private triumph; it’s a moment that reinvigorates the UFC. With Jon Jones retired and other divisions in flux, Topuria’s mix of charisma, ending ability, and undefeated record makes him the worldwide star the UFC has been looking for.
The lightweight division is now wide open, with potential challengers like Paddy Pimblett, Arman Tsarukyan, and even a returning Makhachev looming on the horizon. For now, nonetheless, Ilia Topuria sits alone at the top — the undisputed lightweight champion and the UFC’s recent pound-for-pound king.
Because the MMA world recalibrates, one thing is obvious, the Topuria era has begun.