Ilia Topuria realized exactly what he needed to do to beat Charles Oliveira.
On Saturday evening, at UFC 317, ‘El Matador’ produced a stunning performance, knocking his rival out cold to become lightweight world champion.
His stunning display has added to his already frightening aura. Michael Bisping thinks Topuria could be ‘The New Goat’.
While the Spanish-Georgian is renowned for his powerful hands, he’s much more than that, with the fierce competitor possessing a sensational fight IQ.
WOW: Islam Makhachev ‘celebrates’ Ilia Topuria’s stunning title win at UFC 317
Ilia Topuria says Charles Oliveira can’t fight going backwards
Prior to the clash at the weekend, Ilia Topuria spent months studying Charles Oliveira.
During this time, he concluded that ‘Do Bronxs’ can’t fight going backwards.
In an interview with the UFC’s ‘About Last Fight’, he explained: “As soon as I got the confirmation for the fight, I started watching all of Oliveira’s fights. I’ve always been a fan of the sport, but once I have a specific opponent, I study them closely. And when I watched him, I just thought, ‘he’s not going to be able to do anything against me’.
“He doesn’t move. He only goes forward. He doesn’t even know how to fight going backward. The only time it usually takes me to knock someone out is the time I need to close the distance. But with him? He’s coming straight at me.
“I knew we’d meet in the middle of the octagon, and once I start landing shots, he won’t even see them coming. He’s at the highest level of the sport — but I’m the next level.”
Paddy Pimblett has no chance against Ilia Topuria, according to former UFC star
After finishing Oliveira, attention quickly switched to whom Topuria might fight next.
The 155-pound King was joined in the cage by Paddy Pimblett, with the pair going face-to-face.
However, one MMA star doesn’t think that a potential match-up is competitive.
The former UFC star says Topuria easily beats Pimblett.