In a jaw-dropping turn of events that has rocked the MMA world, Ilia Topuria delivered a stunning first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 318 on June 28, 2025, in Las Vegas, claiming the lightweight championship in a mere 2:34. The victory, broadcast live to a stunned 1.6 million PPV audience, was met with immediate outrage from Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight king, who broke his silence just moments ago with the furious declaration, “It’s a disgrace!” His scathing first words, aired during a live Instagram session, have ignited a wildfire of controversy and left fans reeling as the sport braces for the fallout.
Topuria, now 17-0, unleashed a ferocious combination—ending with a brutal right hook—that dropped Oliveira, whose 34-11 record took a devastating hit. The Georgian-Spanish fighter’s speed and power, honed through knockouts of Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, overwhelmed Oliveira’s submission-heavy style, with the Brazilian unable to mount a defense after a failed takedown attempt. The T-Mobile Arena crowd fell silent as referee Herb Dean stopped the fight, crowning Topuria the new 155-pound champion.
Makhachev’s reaction, however, stole the spotlight. The 30-year-old Dagestani, who lost the title to Oliveira in 2022 before reclaiming it in 2023, watched the fight from his training camp in Makhachkala. His outburst—“It’s a disgrace!”—came with a pointed accusation that the UFC favored Topuria’s rising star power over fair competition. “They handed him this win,” Makhachev added, suggesting officiating bias, a claim fueled by a slow-motion replay showing Dean’s hesitation before the stoppage, noted by ESPN analysts. Fans on X are split, with “Makhachev’s right—rigged fight!” clashing with “Topuria earned it—deal with it!”
The logic behind Makhachev’s fury ties to his own legacy. With a 26-1 record and 12 submission wins, he dominated the division for over two years, losing the belt only due to injury. Topuria’s rapid ascent—skipping a title eliminator—raises questions about meritocracy, especially as Makhachev eyes a return. The first-round KO, while impressive, contrasts with Oliveira’s usual five-round wars, suggesting a tactical mismatch or, as Makhachev implies, external influence. UFC stats show Topuria landed 68% of his strikes, but the stoppage’s timing—before Oliveira could recover—lends credence to the controversy.
This scandal could reshape the lightweight division. Makhachev’s words signal a challenge, with UFC 319 in October 2025 now rumored to host a title defense or rematch. Topuria’s camp dismissed the claims as “sour grapes,” but the UFC has ordered a review of the stoppage, per Dana White’s X post. Oliveira, visibly shaken post-fight, hinted at retirement, adding pressure for Makhachev to reclaim his throne.
The MMA world is abuzz. Topuria’s rise, backed by his 58% striking accuracy, is undeniable, but Makhachev’s stature—evidenced by his 2023 win over Dustin Poirier—keeps him a contender. If the review upholds the result, Topuria’s reign solidifies; if not, Makhachev’s return could reignite a legendary rivalry. As fans debate, the octagon awaits its next explosive chapter.
