Former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira sent Ilia Topuria a strict warning for UFC 317.
Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria are weeks away from collision for the empty UFC Lightweight Championship on UFC 317. Amidst UFC Lichtweight Champion Makhacheve's planned movement to 170 pounds, Oliveira and Topuria will be in a new time in a new time in the Division Time.
Topuria made the full-time switch to lightweight after leaving the leash of featherweight earlier this year, won by Alexander Volkanovski on UFC 314. He has not fought anymore since he ended up BMF title holder Max Holloway on UFC 308 in October.
Months before the Topuria versus Oliveira vacant title fight was announced, tensions reached a boiling point between the two upcoming rivals.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Charles Oliveira makes daring prediction for UFC 317 Showdown with Ilia Topuria
Topuria, no stranger to fill a chat with his colleagues, Oliveira accused of diving of a potential booking for months before the UFC 317 Main Event was solidified. Oliveira responded by rejecting the story that Topuria is a 'big fight', because he was looking for a rematch with Makhachev for the leave of the lightweight champion.
Oliveira and Topuria are two of the greatest stars of the UFC, and their international collision of the Vechtweek is one of the greatest fighting of the year. Only a few weeks after their fight, Oliveira predicted a short night in the office when he met Topuria in the Octagon.
In a recent interview with complete violence, Oliveira made a daring prediction prior to his confrontation with Topuria on UFC 317.
“It's a great fight, he is a great hunter. But I don't have to prove anything about who I am,” said Oliveira.
“This fight came as a huge opportunity. I will eliminate this guy. That's real.”
Topuria is never eliminated in his career, because he enters UFC 317 with an intact record by 16 career fights. But Oliveira has enough reason to feel extremely confident in his chance to stop Topuria, after recent dominant victories over Michael Chandler and Beneil Dariush.
Ilia Topuria is planning to haunt Ghost Islam Makhachev of a title shot after UFC 317
When Makhachev returns to the lightweight division, Topuria does not intend to give him an immediate title shot at his comeback. Makhachev is expected to be confronted with UFC Welterweight champion Jack della Maddalena later this year, but has no future return to lightweight as soon as a 'new competition' arises.
But if Oliveira is the victor on UFC 317, Makhachev could possibly be the desired callout target in his interview after the fight. Oliveira lost to Makhachev for the then vacant lightweight belt on UFC 280.
The constant feud of Topuria with Makhachev has become dark in recent weeks. After Topuria Makhachev A 'Coward' mentioned before leaving the lightweight championship, Makhacheve shared a ruthless reaction and labeled Topuria a 'Nobody' in a fiery exchange.