Ilia Topuria might have set lofty goals for himself, but if his career is any indication, he has achieved those goals. What do we mean? Being undefeated, he disposed of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. As if those goals weren’t lofty enough, he has now set his eyes on another division and belt. But because of his success rate, we’re inclined to believe he has a chance of winning the lightweight belt from Islam Makhachev.
However, he is not the only contender who wants the lightweight gold. Charles Oliveira has also made it crystal clear that he expects a rematch against the Dagestani to be his next fight. Both these men have been going back and forth, making the MMA community wonder if the UFC will pit these two against each other. ‘Do Bronx’ clearly thinks ‘La Leyenda’ needs to get in line, asserting his claim to the title. In the latest, the Spanish-Georgian soon-to-be featherweight champion brought Oliveira’s whole career into question.
As per ACD‘s X profile, the UFC star said, “He has 10 losses, 5 by KO, 4 by sub. Even Cub Swanson has beaten him up at 145; that’s where the conversation ends. He couldn’t do it at 145 but got the belt at 155. Why is that division harder? I don’t find the logic.”
Ilia Topuria on Charles Oliveira:
“He has 10 losses, 5 by KO, 4 by sub. Even Cub Swanson has beaten him up at 145, that’s where the conversation ends”
“He couldn’t do it at 145, but got the belt at 155. Why is that division harder? I don’t find the logic”
via @IratiPratSC pic.twitter.com/jJwwRswBLI
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) March 30, 2025
This is an ongoing saga, and it’s not looking like we’re close to witnessing this feud end, until a big fight involving either of them is announced. As for Oliveira, he just doesn’t like Topuria’s “disrespectful attitude.” Speaking to Ariel Helwani, ‘Do Bronx’ said, “It’s been 15 years in the UFC, respecting everybody,” Oliveira said. “My story is written there. Everybody can see it. (Topuria) is saying a lot of crap. I respect his fights, the way he’s come up and everything, but he’s being very disrespectful now and is saying a lot of things that he shouldn’t.”
And that’s how the story is unfolding right now. Charles Oliveira doesn’t like the “disrespect” from Ilia Topuria, and the latter doesn’t think highly of the former when it comes to comparing their legacies. For both men, the goal is clear—fight for the lightweight title. For Ilia Topuria, he’s forging his legacy. For Charles Oliveira, it’s about continuing his legacy that was cut short.
Charles Oliveira confessed to Chael Sonnen about his goal to fight Islam Makhachev
During a recent interview with Chael Sonnen, Oliveira said, “I have already passed all these on the UFC. There are a lot of rumors all over, but at the end of the day, they’re gonna decide what they want to do, right? The right thing to do is Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev because I’m number one. I’m just waiting for the call, just let me know the date and the time, and I’ll be ready.”
Unfortunately, ‘Do Bronx’ could not fight Makhachev at UFC 294 due to a nasty gash during training. He was replaced by Alexander Volkanovski on short notice. He then lost against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 and sustained a ligament and knee injury, but then redeemed himself after defeating Michael Chandler recently at UFC 309. While it’s not written in stone that UFC will grant him an immediate title shot without a winning streak, he is still hopeful.
Meanwhile, we cannot deny the fact that the Georgian Spaniard not only has an undefeated record but also claimed the 145-lb title by disposing of legends in the division. Success at featherweight, and confidence to succeed at lightweight. This makes his case stronger than Oliveira’s, which might make Dana White grant him the title shot against Makhachev.
The fighter with a new moniker, ‘La Leyenda’ said during an event interview in Spain, posted by Marca Journalist Irati Prat on ‘X’, “The UFC promised me I’d fight for the belt. That’s why I vacated it. And they’ve always kept their promise.” On that note, who do you think is going to get the opportunity first? Comment on your predictions below.
The post “He Couldn’t Do It at 145, but Got the Belt at 155” – Ilia Topuria’s Reality Check Leaves Charles Oliveira Without an Answer appeared first on EssentiallySports.