The prelims matchup of Ryan Hall versus Ilia Topuria at UFC 264 was a booking of two talented prospects in the featherweight division. With one being an ace-level grappling specialist, and the other a fast-rising finisher with well rounds skills. Score one for the well-round athletes in the sport.
Ilia Topuria hands Ryan Hall his first knockout loss at UFC 264
Hall, 36, is one of the more lauded grapplers on the roster for his accomplishments outside the Octagon in grappling, so it was no surprise that he worked hard in the first round to get the fight to the mat. However, he did not attempt single and double leg takedowns, trips, or techniques against the cage. Instead, “The Wizard” rolled several times at Topuria hoping to snatch up his opponent’s leg, or lure him into attacking him on the mat. Topuria did not bite on those tricks.
All @Topuriailia needed was an opening 💥
Stream #UFC264 on @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/m1HK2qwiEF pic.twitter.com/n7a8cihV7u
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 11, 2021
At every turn Topuria, 24, defended his opponents grappling advances and trickery, or when he was in an advantageous position above Hall, he fought smart and did not jump into the Americans guard. Throughout the opening round, the Spaniard fought measured and waited for the right moment to strike. And on several occasions, he landed damaging punches.
HOW ABOUT THAT 🤯 @TopuriaIlia #UFC264 pic.twitter.com/ZQvUa1nJpo
— UFC (@ufc) July 11, 2021
Then, with 30 seconds left in the round, Hall threw an unnecessary spinning back kick that was blocked and knocked him to the mat. Hall’s head was in a hard-to-defend position, and “El Matador” pounced. Landing several ground-and-pound shots while avoiding his foe’s guard. Eventually, he found himself in a position where he was able to land several unanswered punches that put Hall to sleep with 14 seconds left in the round.
Make that 1️⃣1️⃣-0️⃣!
🇬🇪 @TopuriaIlia remains UNDEFEATED! #UFC264 pic.twitter.com/VHli1SM674
— UFC (@ufc) July 11, 2021
The victory moved Topuria’s unbeaten overall record to 11-0, and he is now 3-0 inside the Octagon. The Brave CF veteran is one of the fastest rising talents at 145-pounds in the UFC and could be in line for a ranked opponent in his next fight.
The defeat ends an eight-fight win streak for Hall (8-2). It was also the first time he was knocked out in a professional mixed martial arts fight.
