There’s strong respect between UFC 317 headliners Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira.
After becoming disinterested in continuing to make the difficult cut down to featherweight, where he ruled as champion for most of 2024, Topuria will begin a new chapter in his career this Saturday.
Topuria vs. Oliveira headlines UFC 317, with Islam Makhachev’s vacated lightweight title on the line at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
In the lead-up, ‘El Matador’ has displayed his usual high self-belief. Topuria vows to make quick work of Oliveira despite his Brazilian foe’s size and experience advantage in the division.
But away from interviews and promotional work, the respect is clearly there.
Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira have respectful sauna meeting ahead of UFC 317
Given their close proximity in fighter hotels, footage often emerges showing opponents coming across one another days out from events.
That results in both respectful exchanges and the odd scuffle. In the case of Topuria and Oliveira, it was the former of those two options.
The Spaniard posted a video on X of himself and Oliveira sharing a touching moment in a sauna during UFC 317 fight week.
“That’s how our sport is. It’s never personal, everyone’s just fighting for their dreams,” Topuria wrote in the caption.
Ilia Topuria is predicting a devastating night for Charles Oliveira
While the pair are respectful and on good terms days out from their battle, that hasn’t stopped Topuria from making some brutal predictions.
‘El Matador’ has vowed to finish ‘Do Bronx’ in similar fashion to his 2024 title win and defense, and Topuria made one particularly gruesome UFC 317 promise during a pre-event promo.
“I feel so powerful at 155,” Topuria teased.
“I’m gonna touch his chin and it will explode.”
That’s done little to affect Oliveira’s confidence, however, with the Brazilian insisting he plans to walk forward come fight night.