Ilia Topuria is set to challenge Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28, after vacating his featherweight championship earlier this year. The 28-year-old Spaniard, who had only defended his 145-pound belt once, stunned fans by choosing to move up to the 155-pound division, a decision now explained by Topuria himself as a necessary escape from harsh weight cuts.

The Physical Toll Behind Topuria’s Weight Class Change

Despite being relatively short for the lightweight division at 5 feet 7 inches, Topuria prioritized his health and well-being over size advantages. The fighter revealed the severe difficulties he faced cutting weight, describing it as unbearable and dehumanizing. He expressed his frustration about the suffering that comes with strict dieting and dehydration before weigh-ins, highlighting how it impacts his life beyond just fights.

“When you’re cutting weight and you can’t eat or drink water, you don’t care about any material things,”

Topuria said during an ESPN Deportes interview, sharing his raw feelings.

“They can give you bags of money, they can give you all the cars you want, you don’t care at all. If they give you this little glass of water and say, ‘You can drink this and it won’t increase your weight,’ I’ll give you whatever it takes in that moment. I’m so low. I feel terrible. It’s like sitting naked in the middle of the street. I feel terrible. So I didn’t want to suffer anymore. I didn’t want to go through that. I’d already done it throughout my career. I’d already achieved my dream, which was to become a world champion. I had to close that chapter because I didn’t want to suffer anymore.”

He summed up his motivation with a metaphor about his new lifestyle:

“Honestly, it’s like living in the desert and I wanted to live on the beach.”

Confidence and Power Define Topuria’s Approach Toward UFC 317

As the UFC 317 fight approaches, Topuria has expressed growing confidence in his power and stamina at lightweight. During promotional activities, he warned Oliveira about the potential impact of his striking, asserting that despite being naturally smaller, his strength at 155 pounds is formidable.

“I feel so powerful at 155,”

Topuria declared.

“I’m gonna touch his chin and it will explode.”

However, Oliveira dismissed concerns over Topuria’s punching power, pointing to his own proven knockout ability at lightweight. He recalled his victory over Justin Gaethje to emphasize that real power lies in his hands despite the claims.

“I don’t care much about what people say there. In reality, that’s the reality,”

Oliveira stated during an interview with Full Violence.

“I know he’s a guy who hits hard, but he’s talking about the lightweight category, the harder category. I fought against Justin Gaethje and everyone said he was the guy who hit harder, and when I did, he went down. I believe in the power of fire in the hands that I have, so let’s wait, on the 28th we’ll meet.”

What This Move Means for Topuria’s Career and the UFC Lightweight Division

Topuria’s move to lightweight underscores the physical and mental toll fighters endure to compete in their divisions. By stepping up in weight, he prioritizes longevity and performance over the immediate advantage of being a bigger featherweight champion. This fight against Oliveira will be a critical test for Topuria’s ability to succeed against experienced lightweight contenders.

The bout at UFC 317 is expected to be a pivotal moment in his career, potentially crowning him a two-weight class champion and adding a new chapter to the UFC lightweight division’s dynamic landscape. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Topuria’s gamble pays off or if Oliveira’s experience will prevail.