Former UFC champions Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira exchange fiery messages on social media after ‘do Bronx’ claimed he’d KO the division’s latest superstar.
Ilia Topuria might be retiring his ‘El Matador’ moniker, but the former featherweight champion is still bullish on his potential to claim a second world title – this time at 155lbs.
We’re yet to hear who Ilia Topuria will face in his lightweight debut, although it’s safe to say that the Spanish-Georgian sensation isn’t looking to make friends in his new division.
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Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira exchange online jabs
During a recent interview with Alvaro Colenero, Charles Oliveira argued that whilst Topuria ‘deserves all the respect’ for his 145lb title run, he doesn’t see the Spaniard’s star-power making an impact at 155lbs.
“Topuria is a very tough guy, and he deserves all the respect in the world, but right now, I don’t see it as a big fight… If I’m looking for a title, well, I have to fight Makhachev in order to win and become champion again.”
It didn’t take long for an irritated Ilia Topuria to respond, writing on X that Oliveira should ‘stay quiet’ as the one true ‘father of the division’ has now arrived.
“Charles, it’s better if you stay quiet. You have 10 losses: 5 by knockout, 4 by submission and 1 by decision. You are the contender, while I am the champion, the father of the entire division. I haven’t come here to ask [for] anything. Here, I am the one in charge.”
Neither UFC superstar has their next UFC fight officially booked, although ‘do Bronx’ has previously claimed that he has the speed and the power to ‘knock out Ilia Topuria.’
| Islam Makhachev (C) |
| Arman Tsarukyan – 1 |
| Charles Oliveira – 2 |
| Justin Gaethje – 3 |
| Dustin Poirier – 4 |
| Max Holloway – 5 |
Ilia Topuria backed to ‘flatline’ top contender by former BMF champ
Whilst Charles Oliveira vs Ilia Topuria would be a fantastic fight, there are several potential options for the former featherweight champion’s debut bout at 155lbs.
One such potential matchup is against Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje, although a former BMF champion reckons that the fight would only go one way… With Gaethje ‘flatlined’ and in a ‘coma’.
“[Topuria] His power, he hits harder than Islam, I’m telling you, he hits harder than almost every 55er because a lot of its genetic, but his technique is legit along with his genetics,” stated Jorge Masvidal via the Adversity Kings Podcast earlier this week.
“He could win the belt, I’m telling you, and defend it. He could do some rockstar s— at that weight class. He’d beat a guy like Gaethje, who just won, I think he would flatline Gaethje, he’ll put Gaethje in a coma, I’m telling you.
“They don’t wanna see that though, they don’t want him to end their poster boy Gaethje like that because he’ll end Gaethje.”
Interestingly, during a recent fantasy breakdown, former champions Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo suggested alternative opponents for the ex-featherweight king – who do you want to see Topuria face in his UFC lightweight debut?