This Saturday at UFC 317, Ilia Topuria will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in a bout that could come down to grappling skills. Topuria, an undefeated former featherweight champion, moves up to lightweight to challenge Oliveira, a former champion and the UFC’s all-time leader in submission victories.
Expert Backs Topuria’s Grappling and Boxing Against Oliveira
Beneil Dariush, once close to a lightweight title opportunity and Oliveira’s opponent at UFC 289, favors Topuria in this matchup despite Oliveira’s known power. Dariush pointed to Topuria’s strong boxing and Greco-Roman wrestling background as key advantages that could influence the fight if it goes to the ground.
I lean towards Ilia, but it ain’t by much,
Dariush told Inside Fighting’s Mike Owens.
He also acknowledged Oliveira’s skill set:
“I think Charles has a really good chance with his power, with his fakes. If he uses his full arsenal, he’s a very difficult big guy to deal with.”
I would say Ilia’s got great power, and I think, wrestling-wise, I would probably say Ilia is probably the better wrestler,
Dariush added.
So, I think that’s where this fight could be decided—who the better grappler is.
Oliveira has won 16 of his 23 UFC fights by submission, marking him as a formidable submission artist. However, Topuria has confidently claimed he can finish the fight anywhere, showing readiness to test Oliveira’s ground game despite the Brazilian’s reputation.
Oliveira’s History Shows Vulnerability to Submissions
Although Oliveira holds the record for the most submission wins in UFC history, he has been caught in submissions four times during his UFC career. His most recent submission loss came in a 2022 title fight where Islam Makhachev forced him to tap via arm-triangle choke.
Oliveira’s first submission defeat happened in 2010 against Jim Miller by kneebar. In 2016, he suffered consecutive submission losses via guillotine choke to former champions Anthony Pettis and Ricardo Lamas, reflecting moments of susceptibility despite his grappling expertise.
Topuria, who secured his first seven victories through submissions, presents a serious test on the ground for Oliveira. The upcoming UFC 317 encounter will reveal whether Topuria’s grappling and boxing can overcome Oliveira’s experience and submission arsenal.
UFC 317 Set to Deliver a High-Stakes Lightweight Title Clash
The clash between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira carries significant implications for the lightweight division, as the winner claims the vacant belt formerly held by Islam Makhachev. Beyond the championship, the fight emphasizes contrasting styles: Topuria’s powerful striking and wrestling skills against Oliveira’s unparalleled submission record and seasoned offense.
Fans and analysts alike anticipate that determining the superior grappler will be crucial in deciding the outcome. The result could reshape lightweight rankings and set new trajectories for both fighters moving forward in the UFC.