Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira believes Ilia Topuria is in for a rude awakening at 155 lbs.
Charles Oliveira will potentially get a chance at revenge against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in his next fight. But after Ilia Topuria‘s addition to the lightweight title mix, Oliveira’s redemption tour might hit a speed bump on the way back to Makhachev.
Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler in the UFC 309 co-main event in November; cementing himself as a top contender and outpointing his former championship rival. After his victory, Oliveira called for a title shot and a chance to reclaim the lightweight throne.
After knocking out Oliveira’s former rival Max Holloway in October, Topuria announced a full-time move to lightweight and his vacation of the featherweight title. Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will fight for Topuria’s belt at UFC 314 next month.
Charles Oliveira welcomes Ilia Topuria fight for No. 1 lightweight contender
Oliveira knows a thing or two about making the move from 145 to 155 lbs and the grind of a fighter proving himself in a new division. Despite Topuria’s one-fight history at lightweight, he could potentially get an immediate title shot over Oliveira and the other top contenders waiting in the wings.
But Oliveira sent Topuria a stern warning about not only moving up to lightweight, but also ahead of a potential booking between the two stars.
During a recent interview with Oddspedia, Oliveira welcomed a clash with Topuria for the featherweight champ’s return to the division.
“Whoever I get told to fight, I’m going to fight. I have nothing but respect for Ilia Topuria, but this is lightweight,” Oliveira said of Topuria’s lightweight move.
“It’s the most difficult division you have ever seen and I have power in my hands. I believe in my Jiu-Jitsu, but I believe that I could knock Ilia Topuria out.”
A No. 1 contender fight between Oliveira and Topuria would make a lot of sense in the lightweight division. UFC CEO Dana White was vague when recently asked about Topuria getting an immediate title shot, opening the door to at least one fight before a possible Makhachev clash.
Oliveira is looking to get back to the lightweight throne after a submission loss to Makhachev at UFC 280. He’s won two of his last three fights since the Makhachev defeat, including a TKO win over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289.
Ilia Topuria teased big fight news ‘you won’t believe’ ahead of lightweight return
Topuria fueled speculation about his next fight by claiming ‘you won’t believe’ what the UFC matchmakers have in store for him. This opened the door to potential clashes with Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, or Justin Gaethje for the beginning of his lightweight chapter.
Oliveira is also linked to a potential clash with Holloway for the latter’s BMF belt, after the two traded barbs on social media. Holloway defeated Oliveira earlier in their careers in a featherweight bout in Aug. 2015.
Topuria and Oliveira could be on a collision course sooner rather than later. In the meantime, tensions continue to rise between Topuria and some of the top lightweights in MMA.
