Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria are set to clash this Saturday at UFC 317 for the vacant lightweight championship, in a highly anticipated main event. The matchup carries historic implications: Topuria aims to become the tenth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in multiple weight classes, while Oliveira could make history as the first-ever two-time lightweight champion. Despite Topuria being the clear betting favorite, Max Holloway, who has faced both fighters, strongly cautions fans against underestimating Oliveira ahead of this critical bout.
Analyzing the strengths and key question marks of the fight
Max Holloway, speaking on his YouTube channel, highlighted that
“a lot of people are counting Charles Oliveira out,”
but emphasized that Oliveira consistently defies expectations. Holloway noted,
“This should be a fun one, man. I got to share the octagon with the two of these men. Everybody knows how it went with both men, especially with my last fight. This fight is going to be super fun.”
He explained that Oliveira’s resilience and ability to find a way to win as an underdog has been demonstrated repeatedly throughout his career. The central uncertainty lies in Topuria’s striking power. Holloway pinpointed the pivotal moment: whether Topuria’s first significant strike will finish Oliveira or merely hurt him, allowing Oliveira to recover and fight back.
Holloway elaborated,
“What I see happening is — Charles likes getting hit. There’s not — when Ilia hits people, we all see what happens. So, the thing is, with this fight, the real big question mark is, that first shot that Ilia lands, is it going to put him away? It is going to put Charles Oliveira away, and is Charles going to not be able to recover from it? That is the biggest question here. Whenever Ilia lands on Charles first, does it put him away completely? Or do we see the wounded Charles get back up somehow, fight back in the fight, and somehow gets a finish?”
Holloway’s experience with both fighters shapes his perspective
Max Holloway has firsthand knowledge of both Oliveira and Topuria from previous featherweight contests. He fought Oliveira in 2015 at UFC Saskatoon, winning by TKO after Oliveira sustained a throat injury, and faced Topuria in their featherweight title fight at UFC 308 last year, where Holloway lost by TKO. This experience gives him unique insight into each competitor’s abilities and fight style.
Regarding the unpredictability of the bout’s outcome, Holloway stated,
“If Ilia gets a finish or a knockout, it wouldn’t surprise me. But if Charles wins with either a submission or a finish of his own, even a knockout finish of his own, it doesn’t surprise me. This fight is super up in the air.”
He stressed Oliveira’s resilience in comeback scenarios, saying,
“A lot of people are counting Charles Oliveira out, but that’s when he thrives in being the underdog. I don’t know how many times we’ve counted this man out and he somehow found a way to win.”
Early moments will likely decide the title fight
Holloway anticipates the decisive action will unfold within the opening minutes. He explained,
“From my perspective, this fight will be decided probably in the first three minutes, four minutes of this fight. Because Oliveira is going to get touched, and is Ilia going to touch him with something that puts him out cold, or will it hurt him and he finds a way to fight back? That’s the main thing with this fight.”
Holloway also acknowledged Oliveira’s value as a wagering choice when he is an underdog:
“If I was a betting man, on this fight, and Charles Oliveira is the underdog, Charles Oliveira is one of the best fighters in the world to put money on as an underdog.”
He concluded plainly,
“I’m not really picking a winner here, I’m just going to tell you guys this straight up, I’m not going to be surprised if Ilia wins by knockout, and I’m not going to be surprised if Charles somehow pulls it off and wins by a finish or a knockout, too.”
Fighters’ mindsets and UFC context before the showdown
Amid the buildup, UFC lightweight contenders remain fully focused on their goals. Ilia Topuria expressed his mindset on social media, stating,
“Así es nuestro deporte. Nunca es personal, cada uno lucha por sus sueños ~That’s how our sport is. It’s never personal, everyone’s just fighting for their dreams,”
underscoring the personal and professional drive behind the fight.
As both fighters prepare to leave everything inside the octagon, UFC 317 is shaping up to be one of the most compelling cards of the year. The lightweight title bout could redefine the divisional landscape, with Oliveira seeking to cement his legacy and Topuria aiming to make history as a champion in multiple divisions.
What the UFC landscape could look like after UFC 317
The outcome of this title fight may significantly affect the lightweight division’s future trajectory. Should Topuria win, he will join an elite list of multi-divisional champions, elevating his status in UFC history. On the other hand, an Oliveira victory would mark an unprecedented second lightweight championship reign, further affirming his dominance and adaptability within the sport.
This highly unpredictable matchup leaves fans on edge, with the potential for a quick and decisive ending or a dramatic comeback story. Both fighters possess finishing abilities that can alter the course instantly, ensuring that UFC 317 will be remembered for its intensity and significance.