Following his win, Topuria called out popular UFC lightweight contender and longtime rival Paddy Pimblett, who was sitting cageside. “Listen, I don’t think that he’s going to accept it — but if he thinks that he’s ready, come on you blonde b****," Topuria declared. "Bring that b**** here.”

Ilia Topuria continued his ascension up the pound-for-pound ladder with a major statement via a vicious first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight championship at UFC 317.