Alexander Volkanovski's reign ended with a single combination by Ilia Topuria.
The rising star defeated one of the UFC's greatest fighters by KO in a stunner at UFC 298, flattening the Australian with a brutal series of blows in the second round to capture the belt. A quick pair of punches put Volkanovski on his back heel, then a right hook ended it.
Volkanovski remained down for more than a minute before getting up.
Ilia Topuria has the kiss of death. pic.twitter.com/Z4znr7O4Jc
— Jack Krucial - The Combat Therapistud83eudd77ud83cudffdu6b66 (@CombatTherapist) February 18, 2024
The win completes a rapid ascent for the undefeated Topuria, who joined the UFC in 2020 and has now won seven straight fights to open his career with the promotion.