Ilia Topuria is being widely tipped to achieve two-division glory against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
‘El Matador’ enjoyed a brutal but short reign at featherweight. After Topuria knocked out Volkanovski, he became the first to deliver that same fate to Max Holloway in his one and only defense.
2025 will now see Topuria embark on a new journey, as he moves up to lightweight after vacating his throne at 145 pounds. The Spaniard will get an immediate chance to join the club of two-division champions when Topuria battles Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28.
When it comes to betting odds, the ex-featherweight kingpin is significantly favored over the former lightweight champ — something that has shocked one UFC commentator.
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Laura Sanko is baffled that Charles Oliveira is being counted out against Ilia Topuria
UFC color commentator Laura Sanko recently broke down the International Fight Week main event alongside Din Thomas on the One On One YouTube channel.
After pointing out Oliveira’s advantage in size and stature, Sanko expressed strong surprise at how big of an underdog the Brazilian is.
In fights such as his wins over Bryce Mitchell and Jai Herbert, the UFC commentator saw plenty of openings that ‘Do Bronx’ could take advantage of on fight night at T-Mobile Arena.
“Should Charles Oliveira actually be favored in this fight?” Sanko said. “I do think (size) is going to be a factor in this fight because of the length of Charles Oliveira.
“Ilia Topuria, I looked and he is a -410 favorite. Charles Oliveira is a +320 dog. Listen, I must be crazy…I have so much to say about how I think Charles can get the better of Ilia.
“To be clear, I do favor Ilia in this fight, but those odds to me are wild, absolutely wild. … There are moments you can think about (while watching Topuria) where you’re like, ‘You know what, if it was Charles Oliveira doing this to him…’
“Like the Bryce Mitchell fight. Bryce takes him down and Bryce got some good shots on him on the feet. I was watching and I was like, ‘You know, if this was Charles Oliveira, I think he (Topuria) would be in some big trouble here.'”
Ilia Topuria’s gruesome prediction for Charles Oliveira fight
Topuria evidently thinks the odds have swung the right way. In fact, his self-belief would suggest that the Spaniard believes he should be an even bigger favorite.
‘El Matador’ has previously made good on his confident predictions against the likes of Volkanovski and Holloway. And he’s made similar vows ahead of his next assignment.
Topuria made one especially gruesome prediction about the damage he intends to inflict on Oliveira at UFC 317.
“I feel so powerful at 155,” Topuria teased in a UFC promo video.
“I’m gonna touch his chin and it will explode.”
Topuria will have the chance to make good on those remarks in the second of two title fights that will conclude International Fight Week in Las Vegas. The first will see Alexandre Pantoja defend his flyweight gold against Kai Kara-France.