Ilia Topuria would prefer it if he didn’t have to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
The plan was for ‘El Matador’ to face Islam Makhachev for lightweight gold on June 28.
However, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege vacated his 155lb title and moved up to welterweight for a fight with the division’s new champion, Jack Della Maddalena, who dethroned Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 on Saturday night.
As a result, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will face off for the vacant lightweight title next month.
- READ MORE: Ilia Topuria narrowly avoided brutal KO before landing highlight reel finish in lightweight debut
Ilia Topuria promises to be gentle at UFC 317
Topuria is open about the fact that he is a fan of his next opponent as a fighter and as a man.
The 28-year-old feels bad about the beating he’ll have to put on Oliveira at UFC 317.
“First of all, I’d like to thank Charles for accepting the challenge,” Topuria said on Thursday.
“Something Islam didn’t do, and he has to pay the price for Islam.
“Honestly, I feel really sorry for Charles, but at the end of the day, it’s my job.”
Topuria previously predicted that he would submit Makhachev, but he refused to be specific about his fight with Oliveira. Still, the former featherweight champion did confidently claim he would finish ‘Do Bronx’ in the least painful way possible.
“I don’t know,” Topuria added when asked to predict his UFC 317 win method.
“With Oliveira, the truth is, whatever is least painful for him, that’s what I’ll do because I like him a lot.”
Jean Silva offers to help Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 317
Featherweight contender Jean Silva believes he could help Oliveira prepare for his upcoming fight.
The UFC star has offered to replicate Ilia Topuria’s style during sparring ahead of UFC 317.
“I’m available,” Silva said during an interview with AG Fight.
“I’m the same size as Topuria. If Charles wants to use me as his sparring partner, to do his training, I’m here.
“I know how to imitate Topuria perfectly. I even know his facial expressions.”