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Can Ilia Topuria Become the UFC’s First Triple Champ?
With Topuria Beating Oliveira at UFC 317, He’s Now Closer Than Anyone to Becoming the Company’s First Triple Champ
From Unknown to Unstoppable
At just 28 years old, Ilia Topuria has already rewritten the UFC record books in ways no fighter ever has. The Georgian-Spanish phenom didn’t just become a two-division champion; he became the first fighter in UFC history to capture titles in two weight classes while maintaining a perfect undefeated record.
But “El Matador” isn’t stopping there. With welterweight in his crosshairs, Topuria is gunning for something that has never been achieved in mixed martial arts: becoming the UFC’s first-ever triple champion.
ILIA TOPURIA IS A DOUBLE CHAMP! #UFC317 pic.twitter.com/cjiGO4C7v3
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 29, 2025
How El Matador Plans to Rewrite UFC History Books
The Ilia Topuria triple champ odds (the first ever in UFC history) currently sit at 6.67% or +1400. Those numbers tell a story of skepticism, but they also represent opportunity. Smart bettors know that when a generational talent starts chasing history, the betting line doesn’t always reflect reality.
Topuria’s path to history isn’t just about skill; it’s about timing, matchmaking, politics, and marketability. If Dana White green-lights the move, and the line stays plus-money, bettors may never get a juicier shot at a generational feat. Remember to keep an eye out for the latest in UFC news to get a jumpstart on your Topuria bets.
Ilia Topuria
Undefeated: 17-0
Two-division UFC champion
Back-to-back KOs over Volkanovski, Holloway, and Oliveira
Only 28 years old
A legacy in the making. 👑🔥 #UFC317 pic.twitter.com/JlXAsWTF4E
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 29, 2025
The Road So Far: Two Belts, Zero Losses
Topuria’s rise reads like fiction. He captured the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in front of 18,000 screaming fans in Anaheim. Six months later, he moved up to lightweight and dismantled Charles Oliveira in Las Vegas. Both fights ended before the second round. Both opponents had never been finished before.
His featherweight reign started with surgical precision. Volkanovski had defended that belt five times and looked untouchable. Topuria cracked the code in the second round. The right hook that dropped the Australian champion wasn’t lucky; it was calculated. “El Matador” had studied every angle, every tell, every habit that made Volkanovski great.
The lightweight conquest proved even more impressive. Oliveira brought serious submission credentials that suffocated everyone else. Topuria finished the fight at 2:27 of the first round with a devastating combination. The freshly crowned double champ had a confrontation with Paddy Pimblett in the octagon after the fight, potentially setting up a future title defense. The UFC schedule currently has Pimblett facing King Green on the July 27th UFC fight card.
IT’S GETTING HEATED 😱 #UFC317
Is Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett next?! pic.twitter.com/sWIEMbquQi
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 29, 2025
Physical and Technical Analysis: Built for Three Divisions
Topuria’s frame tells the story of a natural welterweight. At 5’7″ with a 69-inch reach, he carries muscle differently than most fighters. His walking weight maxes out at just under 190 pounds, just 20 pounds from the welterweight limit. Compare that to other champions who cut 30-40 pounds, and the math becomes clear.
His boxing translates across weight classes because power comes from technique, not size. The same left hook that dropped Volkanovski would hit even harder at 170 pounds. His footwork, honed in countless hours of sparring, doesn’t depend on weight cuts or size advantages. It’s pure skill.
The wrestling base provides insurance. Topuria stuffed takedowns from Islam Makhachev, arguably the best wrestler in the sport. At welterweight, he’d face stronger opponents, but also slower ones. Speed kills, and Topuria has plenty to spare.His cardio remains untested over five rounds, but that’s by design. He finishes fights early. In eight UFC appearances, only one has seen the third round. That efficiency would serve him well against welterweight grinders who try to drag fights into deep water.
Ilia Topuria was supposed to be a grappler 🥋 pic.twitter.com/6AMLq8dPFB
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) June 30, 2025
Historical Context: Why Triple Champs Don’t Exist
No fighter has ever held three UFC titles simultaneously. The closest anyone came was Daniel Cormier, who held heavyweight and light heavyweight belts at the same time. Conor McGregor held featherweight and lightweight titles, but never defended both. Henry Cejudo captured flyweight and bantamweight gold but retired before attempting a third.
The obstacles are real. Weight cuts become more difficult. Training camps require different focuses. The UFC rarely books champions to fight outside their divisions unless massive pay-per-view numbers are guaranteed. Politics matter as much as punching power.
But Topuria brings something different. He’s undefeated, which creates narrative magic. He’s young enough to handle the physical demands. Most importantly, he generates buzz that translates to ticket sales and streaming numbers.
Betting the Dream: Value in the Odds
Current Topuria championship odds reflect skepticism, but smart money might see opportunity. The +1400 line assumes he’ll fail, but it doesn’t account for his perfect track record or the UFC’s love affair with money fights.
Who will Topuria Fight Next?
- Paddy Pimblett -175
- Justin Gaethje +300
- Arman Tsarukyan +250
- Dustin Poirier +700
- Dan Hooker +800
- Islam Makhachev +500
- Mateusz Gamrot +1600
- Max Holloway +1000
- Renato ‘Moicano’ Carneiro +2200
- Alexander Volkanovski +2500
- Usman Nurmagomedov +3000
- Charles Oliveira +3300
The key is timing. If Topuria continues winning and the UFC starts promoting the triple champion angle, these odds will shrink fast. Early bettors get the best value.
🚨 Ilia Topuria is the new pound-for-pound king in the UFC, surpassing Islam Makhachev who held the spot for over 600 days 🤯 pic.twitter.com/j3HveKUFB9
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 1, 2025
The Bottom Line: History Awaits
Topuria’s shot at triple champion status depends on factors beyond his control. The UFC must green-light the move. Opponents must cooperate with the timeline. Injuries must stay away. Politics must align.
But if any fighter can navigate these obstacles, it’s “El Matador.” His perfect record, finishing ability, and marketability create a unique opportunity. The UFC betting odds suggest long shots, but Topuria has built his career on proving doubters wrong.
The path exists. The timeline works. The skills translate. Whether he walks it successfully depends on variables that make mixed martial arts the most unpredictable sport on the planet. But at +1400, the risk might be worth the reward for bettors who believe in making history.
FAQs
Has Anyone Ever Held Three UFC Titles at the Same Time?
No. Daniel Cormier held heavyweight and light heavyweight belts simultaneously, but no fighter has ever held three UFC titles at once.
What Are Topuria’s Current Championship Odds for Becoming a Triple Champion?
The odds currently sit at +1400 or 6.67%, reflecting the difficulty of the achievement.
Which Weight Class Would Topuria Target for His Third Title?
Welterweight makes the most sense given his natural frame and current weight class progression.
How Long Would It Take for Topuria to Attempt the Triple Champion Feat?
Realistically, he’d need 18-24 months to defend his current titles and move up to welterweight.
What’s the Biggest Obstacle to Topuria Becoming a Triple Champion?
UFC politics and matchmaking decisions pose the biggest challenge, followed by the physical demands of competing across three weight classes.
