Charles Oliveira had never felt knockout power like Ilia Topuria's until UFC 317.
The former lightweight champion said earlier this week he considers Topuria the hardest hitter he's fought in the Octagon. Topuria knocked out Oliveira in the first round on June 28 in Las Vegas to capture the vacant 155-pound title.
"(Topuria is) definitely the one who hit me the hardest," Oliveira told Ag. Fight in Portuguese, according to MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz. "I've been hit before by super tough guys like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, (guys) that knocked me down and hurt me, but (Topuria) really hits hard."
The loss to Topuria marked the first time Oliveira was knocked fully unconscious in 47 professional MMA bouts, and just the fifth knockout or TKO defeat of his career. The 35-year-old Brazilian said he had no recollection of the fight after it ended.
"I didn't know what had happened," Oliveira said. "It was something new for me."
"Do Bronx" is one of the most experienced fighters on the UFC roster. He's tied for sixth-most fights (35) and second-most wins (23), and he owns the most finishes (20) and submissions (16).
Oliveira held the lightweight belt from 2021-22.
