- UFC. Topuria warns Makhachev: "After this fight, when I have the belt... get in line"
- UFC. Topuria has no intention of pursuing Makhachev at welterweight
On June 28, in Las Vegas and as part of International Fight Week (UFC 317), Ilia Topuria (16-0) will be looking for a new victory... and the UFC double championship. A milestone within reach of very few and which es, as the last obstacle, by Charles Oliveira (35-10). The Brazilian will be the 'Matador's' opponent for the lightweight title
An iconic fighter within the UFC but one who starts as an 'underdog' for the fight against the former featherweight champion. And Ilia, as usual, is not lacking in confidence.
"He's going to suffer with me a lot, a lot, because I'm not like any of the ones he's faced before," said the Spaniard at the WOW 19 press conference in Alicante. "I'm not even close to any of them. And with the previous ones he has accumulated 10 defeats... so you can imagine if I do not resemble any of them, what lies ahead. That's why I say I'm very sorry that they have left him alone, because the truth is that it seems as if he has found himself in a room with me alone, and that is the only thing left for him. But well, I thank him with all my heart that he has accepted this challenge because I can imagine that it will not have been easy."
I thank you with all my heart for accepting this challenge because I can imagine that it was not easy
Oliveira, who has already been UFC lightweight champion, faces this fight as one of his last (perhaps the last) chances to regain the gold. He returned to the race for the top after beating Michael Chandler at the end of 2024... and taking advantage of Arman Tsarukyan's injury in the run-up to UFC 311, when the Armenian was due to face Makhachev.