Sandro Kebadze

lia Topuria is ready for Oliveira

Ilia Topuria is all set and ready for a light weigh belt shot, when at UFC 317 on June 28th he will face a former champion Charles Oliveira for the vacantstrap.

It was not long time ago, that many experts predicted a long reign for Topuria, but in February Ilia vacated the featherweight after just one successful defense and got ready for the lightweight belt.

Topuria is ready, but as he noted, despite the fact, that he can get a bags of money, and all the cars in the world, cutting weight, when you can’t eat or drink water, you just don’t care about some material things.

Spanish-Georgian athlete did not want to suffer  anymore, so he decided to change his weight and did not plan to go through that routine anymore.

Ilia won that high octane battle against long-reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024 and knocked out Max Holloway later same year. He stays unbeaten in the process.

Ilia still wants that fight with Pound for Pound Number 1 Islam Makhachev, but Islam vacated his title as well and is expected to face Jack Della Maddalena.

Ilia still wants Islam. Simply, because the Russian dominated everyone. The prize is up for grabs, but this fight is not happening anytime soon.

Topuria is facing aged, but still one of the most dangerous fighters in UFC history, when he goes to a cage versus Oliveira. 35 year old Brazilian still holds the records for most submissions and most finishes ever in the promotion.

Let the gods decide.