Charles Oliveira never made it to a title fight when he competed at 145 pounds, but that doesn’t mean he’s given up on facing a featherweight champion.
Ilia Topuria is set to vacate his featherweight title and move up to lightweight with the expectation that he could face 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev in the near future. Nothing official has been announced, so it’s unclear if Topuria will be booked to face Makhachev immediately or if he has to defeat a top contender first.
In a recent interview, Topuria said he’d be happy to earn his shot and named Oliveira as an ideal opponent. Oliveira welcomes the opportunity to not only fight Topuria, but possibly prove he has the superior standup skills.
“Whoever I get told to fight, I’m going to fight,” Oliveira said in an interview with Oddspedia. “I have nothing but respect for Ilia Topuria, but this is lightweight.
“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.”
Oliveira is one of the most prolific finishers in UFC history, having won 13 Performance of the Night bonuses, mostly due to his fantastic submission skills, but he has shown power in his hands on multiple occasions. Topuria is more well-known for his knockout prowess, which was in full display in his past two championship victories over division legends Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
If it’s not Topuria next for Oliveira, he still expects to receive a marquee matchup.
“The division is very complicated,” Oliveira said. “I think I deserve to be next in line but I work for [Endeavor]. There is talk about Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria.
“I’m just waiting on the call. I don’t know who is next, there is talk but I just don’t know.”
Along with Poirier and Gaethje, Holloway is another rematch Oliveira wouldn’t mind having before his career is done. The two first battled nearly a decade ago in the nascent stages of their Hall of Fame careers.
Despite Holloway’s recent loss to Topuria, he still holds the symbolic title of “BMF” champion and that’s a title the former UFC lightweight champion would love to add to his collection.
“A fight against Max Holloway would be huge and I’m confident that it would be me with my arm raised,” Oliveira said. “The first time we fought I had an injury that stopped me performing. We are both aggressive fighters and I believe in the power in my hands as well as my BJJ, there would be a lot of hype around the fight.
“I would be chasing the knockout and the BMF means the toughest guy in the division right? I want to show that I’m the toughest guy in the division. When we speak about legacy, we speak about being the champion, but BMF is about being the toughest guy and that’s what I consider myself to be in this division. I believe that I have shown that and having the BMF belt is the only thing that is missing.”
TOP STORIES
Aura? Dricus du Plessis thinks Alex Pereira lost his mystique (and matchmaking leverage) after his defeat at UFC 313.
Pancake. Watch behind-the-scenes footage of KSI slapping Dillon Danis: ‘Happy Pancake Day b*tch.’
Upset. Ian Machado Garry is wondering why Jack Della Maddalena got the call to fight Belal Muhammad instead of him.
Help. Bryce Mitchell claims he’s having fantastical visions ahead of his fight with Jean Silva.
Fair. Alexander Volkanovski takes no issue with Ilia Topuria leaving the featherweight division.
WW. Matt Brown sympathizes with Leon Edwards’ struggles against Belal Muhammad but ‘when you speak it out loud, it’s an excuse.’
VIDEO STEW
Journey to UFC London.
The real UFC heavyweight champion breaks down this Saturday’s UFC London main event.
Daniel Cormier and Ben Askren talk about Jon Jones.
Jan Blachowicz and Carlos Ulberg interviews.
Arnold Allen on his injury rehab.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Run it back?
Alex when you’re ready to go again
You deserve this
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) March 18, 2025
This week’s essential fight schedule.
The best knockouts of the week.
Hilo con los mejores KOs/TKOs de la semana. Top 15
— Barrele la pierna (@Barrelelapierna) March 17, 2025
Challenge.
Bonuses.
Damn. That’s a lot of hitters in one photo.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thomas Petersen (9-3) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (11-8, 1 NC); UFC Des Moines, May 3
Ryan Loder (7-1) vs. Azamat Bekoev (19-3); UFC Des Moines, May 3
Junior Tafa (6-3) vs. Tuco Tokkos (10-5); UFC Des Moines, May 3
Trevor Peek (9-3, 1 NC) vs. Jeong Yeong Lee (11-2); UFC Des Moines, May 3
FINAL THOUGHTS
It can’t be long until we find out what the UFC plans to do with Topuria, but I have no clue what direction they’re leaning in now. If it were me, I’d make the Makhachev fight happen ASAP because you never know what could happen in this business that could prevent the matchup from happening. Also, I’m an impatient child. — Lee
EXIT POLL
Poll
Should Ilia Topuria receive an immediate lightweight title shot?
51%
Yes, I want to see him fight Islam Makhachev NOW
(61 votes)
48%
No, let him defeat a top contender to earn his spot
(58 votes)
119 votes total
Vote Now
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