Aspinall watched from home and was impressed by Topuria’s oeuvre, which concluded with a single, seismic performance. “For me, Ilia Topuria is the Fighter of the Year,” said Aspinall. “What he did this year, especially that knockout, was incredible.”
Ilia Topuria earns Tom Aspinall’s pick for Fighter of the Year 🔥🫡
“For me it’s Ilia Topuria. I just think he’s incredible.”
Via: @AspinallMMA pic.twitter.com/I0Cdebz6Fj
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) December 8, 2025
The knockout that sealed the prize
The moment that defined Topuria’s year – and earned Aspinall’s greatest praise – was his brutal second-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the vacant lightweight title.
Aspinall, who was present that evening, described the atmosphere as ‘absolutely incredible’. He ranked the finish as one of the best live knockouts he has ever seen, a statement that carries a lot of weight from one of the sport’s most formidable hitters.
“That knockout of Oliveira… the way he did it, the timing, the precision,” Aspinall recalled. “For me it is Knockout of the yearno question.”
A champion’s pause amid the accolades
Despite the rave reviews, Topuria will not immediately benefit from this momentum. The Spanish-Georgian champion has announced he is taking a break from competition to focus on personal matters, specifically citing the time needed with his young children.
This leaves the red-hot lightweight division in a state of flux. In his absence, an interim title fight will follow Paddy Pimblett And Justin slave is booked for UFC 324 in January. The winner will be ready to take on Topuria upon his return and stage a full-scale unification fight that will likely take place in the summer of 2026.
Aspinall’s perspective from the sidelines
Aspinall’s own year was hampered by the serious eye injuries he suffered at UFC 321, which prevented him from defending his heavyweight title. As he watched the action unfold, his appreciation for Topuria’s condensed, dominant year was clear.
While other fighters competed more frequently in 2025, Aspinall’s award emphasizes quality over quantity. For him, Topuria’s ability to capture a championship in such spectacular fashion on the biggest stage of the year was the ultimate achievement.
As Topuria temporarily steps away and the lightweight division moves forward, Aspinall’s endorsement is a powerful testament to the champion’s unforgettable 2025 campaign.
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