Ilia Topuria has boldly responded to Charles Oliveira‘s recent claim that he hits harder, dismissing the statement as mere wishful thinking just a week before their UFC 317 title fight during International Fight Week. The vacant lightweight title, previously held by Islam Makhachev, is at stake as Topuria, undefeated and moving up a division, faces former champion Oliveira in the event‘s main bout.
Known for defeating top fighters like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria approaches this fight with confidence in his knockout ability. Despite Oliveira’s assertion in a Full Violence interview that he delivers more powerful punches, Topuria firmly rejects this idea and expresses readiness to dominate the fight.
Topuria Confident He Will Outperform Oliveira in All Aspects
Topuria, 28, who transitioned from a successful start marked by seven straight submission wins to becoming a proficient boxer and Greco-Roman wrestler, believes he can beat Oliveira in any form of the fight. Oliveira, widely regarded as the UFC’s leading submission artist and known as the hardest hitter to ever face Justin Gaethje, presents a formidable challenge, but Topuria remains unshaken.
Addressing Oliveira’s claim, Topuria told Kevin Iole,
“He thinks that he has a more powerful punch than me, that’s very wishful thinking.”
He continued by inviting Oliveira to test their skills in any format—be it boxing, grappling, or wrestling—confidently asserting,
“Everywhere, I beat him. Everywhere. However I want.”
He added,
“This is how confident I feel,”
highlighting his self-assurance going into the bout.
Topuria Addresses Criticism over Lightweight Size Disadvantage
Despite his success at featherweight, Topuria has faced questions about his size after moving up to the lightweight division, where he is noticeably smaller than Oliveira. The former champion stands at 6’0”, while Topuria is 5’7”, and experts like Mateusz Gamrot have suggested that Oliveira’s height advantage might be decisive. However, Topuria disputes the size concern.
Reflecting on this criticism, Topuria remarked,
“What they mean when they say that I’m not that big? Maybe I’m not the tallest guy, but, my weight is not gonna be lower than Charles’ weight.”
He explained that after rehydration, he might actually weigh more than Oliveira on fight night. Topuria also revealed that his move to the lightweight division was motivated by the difficulty of making the 145-pound featherweight limit, saying,
“Actually, that’s one of the reasons why I moved up to the lightweight division because I had to kill myself to make 145 [lbs].”
Implications for UFC 317 and Lightweight Title Landscape
This fight represents a critical moment for Topuria as he seeks to solidify himself as a two-division contender by capturing the lightweight belt. Oliveira, a fan favorite and UFC veteran, will rely on his proven experience and power to defend his claim to the championship. Both fighters bring contrasting strengths to the octagon—Topuria’s diverse skillset and confidence against Oliveira’s submission mastery and punching power.
The outcome at UFC 317 will not only determine who claims Islam Makhachev’s vacated lightweight title but could also reshape the dynamics of the division, influencing future matchups and rankings. With Topuria’s relentless self-assurance and Oliveira’s resilience, the event is poised for a compelling showdown that fans and experts alike are eagerly anticipating.