It’s at all times difficult territory evaluating any fight sports activities athlete to an all-time legend like Muhammad Ali however Dana White admits it was exhausting not to consider him after Ilia Topuria delivered on his promise at UFC 317.
Previous to his showdown with Charles Oliveira on Saturday night time, Topuria predicted a vicious first spherical knockout that will enable him to assert the vacant light-weight title after Islam Makhachev left the division. That’s precisely what occurred after Topuria blasted Oliveira with an enormous proper hook that successfully knocked out the previous champion however “El Matador” additionally unloaded a left hand that landed for good measure to formally finish the combat.
Topuria was already an enormous star on the rise after doing the identical to a pair of featherweight legends in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway however even White was surprised at seeing him observe by way of on his prediction to dispatch Oliveira in lower than 5 minutes’ time.
“In case you have a look at what he’s completed in his final three fights, tonight was like his large popping out social gathering,” White stated on the UFC 317 submit combat press convention. “Moved as much as win one other title and did it in spectacular vogue.
“Like some [Muhammad] Ali shit saying ‘I’m going to knock him out within the first spherical’ and viciously knocks him out within the first spherical. I feel tonight was his large night time. We now have a star on our arms.”
Even earlier than his newest win, Topuria was already ascending to probably turn into the brand new face of the UFC — a task the promotion undoubtedly wanted to fill with previous stars like Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey and now even Jon Jones gone from the game.
In fact, the UFC has continued to supply large income and with a brand new broadcast deal on the horizon, 2026 is poised to be the largest 12 months but for the promotion.
Nonetheless, Topuria now offers the UFC an extremely marketable champion with an undefeated report and a fan-friendly fashion that makes him a lovely choice to promote an entire lot of tickets and pay-per-views.
“He did precisely what he stated he’s going to do,” White marveled when talking about Topuria. “He’s an absolute full fighter. His standup is gorgeous, floor, grappling, every part. This child’s a star.
“There’s little question about it. You clearly felt the power within the constructing tonight. It was an enormous combat. Once more, to go in and say precisely what you’re going to do after which do it in the way in which that he did it, is spectacular.”
