Los Angeles Dodgers player Kike Hernandez, a committed fan of combat sports, has revealed his backing for Charles Oliveira in the upcoming Charles Oliveira UFC 317 title fight. Set for this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the event will showcase Oliveira facing Ilia Topuria for the undisputed lightweight championship, a title left vacant by Islam Makhachev.
Hernandez and his wife Mariana Vicente previously attended UFC 311 in Inglewood, California, demonstrating their enthusiasm for mixed martial arts. Recently, Hernandez shared a UFC promotional video posted by UFC CEO Dana White on Instagram, adding a red rose emoji as a subtle nod of support.
The red rose emblem holds particular significance for Topuria, who has incorporated it into his fighter identity following his bout with Josh Emmett. As a Spanish citizen of Georgian descent, Topuria is known as “El Matador,” linking him to Spain’s traditional bullfighting culture, where red roses symbolize the matador’s legacy. This motif appeared prominently in promos for Topuria’s UFC 298 fight against Alexander Volkanovski, and the tradition continued when Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos gifted him a red rose before defending his title against Max Holloway at UFC 308. Both occasions ended with Topuria victorious by knockout.
By using the red rose emoji on social media, Hernandez indicated his allegiance to Topuria, despite likely being unable to attend UFC 317 in person, as the Dodgers will be competing against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Missouri that same weekend.
Kike Hernandez Reacted Strongly to UFC 315 Welterweight Title Outcome
Kike Hernandez followed the UFC 315 welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena with interest, alongside the broader MMA community. The fight’s result held consequences for UFC 317, as Dana White had confirmed that the winner would influence Ilia Topuria’s opponent at the upcoming event.
If Muhammad had retained the welterweight championship, Islam Makhachev would have kept the lightweight title, leading to a superfight against Topuria at UFC 317. However, with Della Maddalena’s upset victory, Makhachev vacated the lightweight belt, setting the stage for the Oliveira vs. Topuria showdown instead.
After UFC 315 concluded, Hernandez acknowledged Della Maddalena’s win on Instagram, while also expressing apparent disappointment about the superfight’s collapse through another post captioned:
“We’ll have to wait for Ilia and Islam”
—Kike Hernandez, Dodgers Player
Despite the setback, the highly anticipated superfight may still be on the horizon. Makhachev has indicated his desire to reclaim the lightweight title after potentially overcoming Della Maddalena at welterweight. Similarly, Topuria has expressed willingness to face Makhachev in the welterweight division if he secures victory against Oliveira.
The Upcoming Lightweight Championship’s Broader Impact
The Charles Oliveira UFC 317 title fight will not only determine the undisputed lightweight champion but may also influence the landscape of multiple weight classes. With Makhachev’s move up to welterweight and the rivalry building between him and Topuria, a new chapter in UFC’s lightweight division is unfolding. For fans like Kike Hernandez, this promises several high-stakes battles in the months ahead as fighters seek to solidify supremacy.
As the UFC 317 event approaches, the anticipation surrounding this pivotal lightweight clash underscores the sport’s dynamic nature and its significance for athletes and spectators alike.