Topuria, a former featherweight champion, announced in February that he would fight for the belt that Islam Makhachev’s move to the welterweight division had left him.
Former lightweight champion Oliveira, 35, who briefly used his vast experience before losing, was standing between him and the title on Saturday evening.
Topuria, who was born in Germany to Georgian parents, defended well against the Brazilian’s grappling before showcasing his striking power. After a dominant run at featherweight, which saw him move to 16-0 as a professional.
After a brief exchange on the mat, Topuria disengaged to bring the fight back to its feet, and Oliveira’s evening came to an end. In May 2022, he was stripped of his lightweight belt for a defense against Justin Gaethje.
Oliveira was stunned by the 28-year-old’s crunching right hand before striking her with a left hook, sending her flying to the mat. Topuria predicted a first-round knockout victory, but his back hit the canvas, and his eyes glazed.
“I’ve already said that this is the next level of the game because I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts,” I’ve already said. In a post-fight interview, Topuria stated that this is the next step and that this is what I stand for.
His lights were out when I threw the right hook, left hook, and many more jabs before I realized it.
Before he took his back and locked himself in a rear naked choke one minute and 55 seconds into the third round to defend his flyweight crown, Brazil’s Pantoja dominated New Zealander Kara-France.
Source: Aljazeera
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