A UFC Vegas 107 star has backed Charles Oliveira to become a two-time UFC lightweight champion when he headlines International Fight Week against Ilia Topuria.
Alongside news that Islam Makhachev will vacate the lightweight belt in order to move up to welterweight, UFC CEO Dana White revealed the 155-pound division’s next title fight in early May.
Former featherweight kingpin Topuria will fight Oliveira for the vacant crown in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28.
Despite his relative inexperience in the weight class compared to ‘Do Bronx’, who is among the former champions at 155 pounds, Topuria is heavily favored to add a second UFC title to his collection.
One of the division’s top names, however, is leaning against ‘El Matador’.
- READ MORE: Jon Jones is warned about awaking ‘angry Dana White’ if UFC heavyweight title uncertainty continues
Mateusz Gamrot picks Charles Oliveira to beat Ilia Topuria due to size ‘advantage’
Ahead of his return to action at UFC Vegas 107 on Saturday, Mateusz Gamrot answered questions from reporters during media day.
The No. 7-ranked lightweight contender was unsurprisingly asked to preview the next title fight in his division, and ‘Gamer’ gave an interesting explanation for backing Oliveira.
“Very interesting matchup. Both guys have power and skills to get the win. Ilia can knock him out.
“Oliveira, he has heavy hands, for sure. But also, Charles Oliveira has a lot of good tools to beat Ilia; on the ground, on the feet, everywhere.
“I think Oliveira is a really big guy. Ilia is a short guy. I think this [size] is going to be much different for both guys. I think this is going to be an advantage for Charles Oliveira and he gets the win.”
Charles Oliveira is not worried about Ilia Topuria’s renowned power
Like Gamrot, Oliveira also isn’t taking much notice of his underdog status when assessing his chances of taking home the title on June 28.
The Brazilian fan favorite is no stranger to upsetting the odds, having risen from relative obscurity in the UFC to championship glory against most expectations.
And despite facing the man who left both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway unconscious in 2024, Oliveira isn’t concerned.
“I don’t care much about what people say…that’s the reality,” Oliveira told Full Violence. “I know [Topuria’s] a guy who hits hard, but he’s talking about the lightweight category, the harder category.
“I fought against Justin Gaethje and everyone said he was the guy who hit harder, and when I did, he went down. I believe in the power of fire in the hands that I have, so let’s wait. On the 28th, we’ll meet.”
Oliveira will look to prove as much by eating all that Topuria throws his way come fight night in Las Vegas, en route to a long-awaited return to the lightweight throne.