Off the back of his historic win at UFC 317, Ilia Topuria is not settling for just topping the lightweight division.
Headlining his third straight flagship card over the weekend, unbeaten star Topuria would add the lightweight title to his already gleaming Octagon mantle.
Felling former champion Charles Oliveira in their vacant title main event, the Spaniard would set the record straight on his pre-fight prediction of success.
And with his stunning win, the unbeaten puncher would become the first undefeated fighter in the history of the Octagon to win crowns in two separate weight divisions.
Tipping another feather in his cap to boot, Topuria has now dislodged rival Islam Makhachev from one particular spot amongst their fighting elite.
Ilia Topuria promoted to pound-for-pound #1 after UFC 317 success
Moving two spots in the official pound-for-pound rankings update, Topuria has overtaken both close friend Merab Dvalishvili and, more importantly, the above-mentioned Makhachev.
With this changing of the guard, former lightweight champion, Makhachev has seen his 600-day-plus reign atop that list in particular come to a crashing halt. He’s now dropped to second in the pile, behind his rival, Topuria.
Not planning to slow down in the slightest, either, Topuria seems to already have his mind set and made up on his first challenger at the lightweight limit.
Admitting the UFC’s apparent lack of interest in pairing him with welterweight jet-setter, Makhachev, Topuria has another brash contender in mind, however.
Ilia Topuria targets grudge showdown for first title defense
Joined in the Octagon by the polarizing Paddy Pimblett following his win in Las Vegas, Topuria goaded the Liverpool grappling ace.
Himself vowing to become the first to defeat the streaking Topuria, Pimblett was issued a stark warning by the newly-minted champion during their in-cage exchange, however.
Vowing to either knock out or submit his fellow Cage Warriors alumnus, Topuria was corralled by security officials after shoving Pimblett across the Octagon during their war of words.
A distinct rivalry with some years of history, a clash of Topuria and Pimblett marks a true changing of the lightweight guard, too — with both brash voices in the space hoping to welcome in a new talent pool at 155lbs for years to come.