ILIA Topuria is one combination away from landing the coldest three-fight win streak in MMA history when he challenges for a second weight UFC belt on Saturday.

The unbeaten Georgian-Spaniard faces former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira for the vacant 155lb crown at UFC 317 in Las Vegas.

After consecutive knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway legitimised his short but spectacular featherweight reign, a similar result against Oliveira would rival anything in the MMA’s triple-decade history.

Three former champions, three fan favourites, three future Hall of Famers. To knock each of them out one after the other would ensure Topuria’s quest for greatness continues at pace.

EL MATADOR

After turning pro a decade ago, now 28-year-old Topuria speaks only of achieving things never seen before in the sport.

And whilst victory this weekend would enter him into the exclusive UFC double-champ club, which only has 10 members, he’s already aiming one step further.

Topuria aspires to become the UFC’s first ever triple-weight champion. A feat that would most certainly enter him into any GOAT conversation.

But, there’s a brutally honest reason why it’s never been achieved before. In prizefighting, eventually, size matters.

And before even thinking of a move to welterweight he has to focus on defeating a lightweight great at the T-Mobile Arena.

DO BRONXS

Oliverira, 35, is himself already a history maker in the UFC.

As well as having the most submission wins (16), he’s also collected the most finishes and performance bonus cheques (both 20).

His own celebrated 155lb reign began 11 years after his UFC debut. Originally a fun but inconsistent featherweight, Oliveira eventually found his pugilistic mojo up at lightweight.

With only three decision victories in his entire 34 fight UFC career, it’s easy to see why Oliveira a fan favourite on every continent.

NO JUDGES REQUIRED

Topuria’s 16-0 record is as impressive as fighter in the sport today.

His boxing is crisp and aggressive; his grappling and submission skills are perhaps even better – after all 8 of his 14 finishes are via submission.

But his strongest quality is the fact he’s a thinker. His fight IQ is off the charts and every step, punch, kick, shot are delivered with clear gameplan intentions.

Oliveira is kind of the opposite. He’s wild, reckless and fights with a kind of abandon that’s impossible to plan for. He fights on instinct; reacts to the moments as they present themselves.

The Brazilian’s 35-10-1 career record is simply statistics; only his 13-2 form is worth analysing.

Only the #1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, Islam Makhachev, has beaten him with any conviction of late. Last year’s split decision defeat to Arman Tsarukyan could have gone either way.

But Charles’ only outing since was a five-round points decision victory over Michael Chandler, the man he knocked out in two rounds to become champion three years earlier.

Is the veteran slowing down? Has Father Time caught up with another UFC superstar?

Topuria’s knockout of Max Holloway – who is bigger than Oliveira and as decorated – suggests the move to lightweight and the opponent have been timed perfectly by Ilia.

Whilst Oliveira has a ground game to match anybody in the sport, every fight starts on its feet and Topuria’s boxing ensures he will land and frequently enough to claim the scalp of another legend.

The Topuria Era is upon us.

TIP: Topuria by KO, round 2

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