Charles Oliveira has opened up about what went wrong during his fight against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, held this past June during International Fight Week. The encounter for the vacant lightweight title ended abruptly when Topuria delivered a first-round knockout, securing a second world championship and leaving Oliveira with his first career knockout loss.

Despite the setback, Oliveira is scheduled to return to the octagon as the main event headliner at UFC Rio, where he will face top contender Rafael Fiziev in October. Reflecting on the fight, Oliveira acknowledged mistakes he made that cost him dearly, particularly in his approach to the bout against Topuria.

Oliveira Admits to Overestimating His Power Against El Matador

Before their clash, Oliveira expressed confidence in his punching power, believing it exceeded that of Topuria, nicknamed “El Matador.” However, the fast-paced exchange quickly proved otherwise, as Topuria’s speed and timing outmatched Oliveira’s tactics. Instead of sticking to his trained game plan, Oliveira tried to prove something in the moment, which led to his downfall.

My reflection is simple: sometimes we try to prove something we don’t need to prove,

Oliveira shared with Thunderpick.

He explained that his training focused on movement, calf kicks, one-twos, takedown attempts, and combinations leading into high kicks. Yet when the fight began, he let his desire to “show off” his knockout power take precedence.

But when the fight started, I just wanted to show off,

he admitted.

I believed too much in my hands, in my knockout power. I kept waiting for the perfect moment to land, but he was way faster than me because I was standing there waiting for one shot. He was way quicker…

Oliveira conceded that Topuria’s strategy outpaced his own, deserving respect for his superior timing and punch placement. Meanwhile, Oliveira stood still instead of applying the movement he practiced.

Meanwhile, I was waiting for something I shouldn’t have waited for,

he reflected. He added that staying fixed in one spot rather than executing his tactics cost him dearly. After the loss, Oliveira spent time with family and resumed training, determined to improve and prove himself once again.

I’ve been in the UFC for 15 years. I’d never been knocked out before — this was the first time. But I don’t need anyone to pick me up. It’s up to me. So, I’ve already gotten back up, and I’m moving forward. Like I said, that night is over. Now, it’s about the next one.

Facing a Swift Return at UFC Rio Raises Questions

Oliveira’s knockout loss took place on June 28, making his scheduled fight against Rafael Fiziev on October 11 a turnaround of just 105 days. Such a quick return after a knockout could be concerning given the risks fighters face. Although Oliveira is eager to move forward, history shows that rebounding from such defeats is not always smooth.

For comparison, UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski was knocked out by Ilia Topuria after suffering a knockout loss to Islam Makhachev four months prior. Volkanovski’s defeat came after a relatively short recovery period in a highly competitive setting.

Oliveira’s upcoming bout at UFC Rio carries significant weight as it not only marks his first fight in Brazil in over five years but also tests his resilience following his humbling loss to Topuria. Observers and fans alike will watch closely to see if Oliveira’s reflections and renewed mindset translate into a successful comeback.