Daniel Cormier, a UFC Hall of Famer and former featherweight champion, shared his enthusiasm for Ilia Topuria after UFC 317, where Topuria made history by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round to become the first fighter to hold titles in two weight classes with an undefeated record of 17-0. Cormier, who was commentating alongside Joe Rogan and Jon Anik, praised Topuria’s talent and potential, stating, “He’s only 28 years old… already a double champion. He’s the real deal.”
Cormier also noted that Topuria has set himself apart from other fighters in the lightweight division, emphasizing that while current champion Islam Makhachev poses a significant challenge, Topuria’s performance indicates he will likely remain a top contender for a long time. “It’s just unbelievable,” Cormier remarked, underlining the young athlete’s impressive trajectory in the sport.
Following his victory, Topuria expressed interest in defending his title against Paddy Pimblett, who made a surprise appearance in the octagon for a face-off. Cormier endorsed the potential matchup but warned that for Pimblett to be competitive, he would need to leverage his size and carefully strategize. “Paddy will have to use his size on Ilia if he wants a chance… Charles didn’t have much success taking him down,” Cormier explained.
The excitement surrounding Topuria’s rise in the UFC captures a hopeful moment for fans, as it suggests a new era of competitive matches and rising stars in mixed martial arts. Given Topuria’s skills and determination, many are eager to see how his career will unfold in the coming years.