“The Result Will Be The Same!” Ilia Topuria Has Bold Take Already on First Possible Title Defense After Charles Oliveira

People are already asking Ilia Topuria who his first title defense will be against, after facing Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

“The Result Will Be The Same!” Ilia Topuria Has Bold Take Already on First Possible Title Defense After Charles Oliveira

Ilia Topuria is confident he 'wins' in and after UFC 317 (Source: X)

Should Arman Tsarukyan or Paddy Pimblett be next if Ilia Topuria snags gold during the International Fight Week PPV this month? He fights Charles Oliveria atop the UFC 317 PPV main event for the vacant 155-pound gold. Ahead of the superfight, Topuria is brimming with confidence as usual.

Tsarukyan is still the #1 lightweight per the athletes’ listings and was a top contender who welcomed Ilia Topuria not that long ago. Meanwhile, Scouser Pimblett is the more cranked-up fight that fans want. Topuria, overconfident as ever, truly believes that he will get past Charles Oliveira. As such, he condensed his confidence in a few choice words:

The camp is going super well, …I have brought sparring partners from different parts of the world. I’m going to collect what I’ve earned with my work…I have no idea, [On who’s next]…I will be there on 28 June. First it was going to be Islam, then it was Charles. If Charles falls, it would be Arman. The result for everyone will be the same…

Ilia Topuria during WOW’s 20th event pre-fight presser (H/T: @KOlmeneroMMA)

First, all such talks were meant to drive up the bargain for an Islam Makhachev-shaped PPV title headliner during UFC 317. But the Dagestani blew out those chances for a shift to welterweight himself.

“El Matador” was even willing to face Charles Oliveira for a UFC 155-pound top seed challenge back when Makhachev was seemingly hesitant and unavailable. Now, Tsarukyan has embedded himself, wanting a PPV backup role for UFC 317.

Now, it’s a different case altogether with the lightweight roster brimming with talent ready to snatch gold. Even the promotion’s post-fight bonus king, Justin Gaethje, made a good case for a crack at gold, with Team Makhachev previously giving their blessings.

While submissions specialist “Do Bronxs” remains a tough challenge, Topuria is eager for the win and secure the double champion status. While some think that his second coming at lightweight will be tough, others think Topuria will have had immense success against Makhachev even.

Ilia Topuria ‘too dangerous’ a striker if Islam Makhachev stayed on for PPV super fight, per Cory Sandhagen

With stats of 16-0 MMA and the exclusive ‘8-0’ club in UFC, former 145-pounder/reigning champ Topuria vacated the spot to challenge Islam Makhachev. While Makhachev remains the promotion’s #1 pound-for-pound fighter with an array of skills, Topuria was projected to have his success.

Can Ilia Topuria beat Charles Oliveira? He was even projected to beat Islam Makhachev
Can Ilia Topuria beat Charles Oliveira? He was even projected to beat Islam Makhachev (Source: X)

Given how he fared against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 (who Ilia Topuria knocked out in their first meeting), many drove home the argument that the former featherweight had what it took. Club Climent camp also teased his unheralded grappling to be as good as his boxing.

There’s a current consensus that Charles Oliveira might prove a tougher challenge for Topuria, who’s on the smaller side of things for a lightweight. However, given how he was measuring up against Makhachev, some consider he has good ways to go but would fare well in this. Cory Sandhagen has even presented that Topuria’s striking would have proved tough for Makhachev, no matter how he can outbox.

I’m going to actually go against what most people say, and I honestly think Ilia would win that fight, …It’s a hot take, but I do. I think his stature is going to be hard to take down for Islam, and I think if those two are standing, I just think that Ilia is a way, way dangerous guy standing, and I just really can’t see Islam hurting him because his guard is real good.

Cory Sandhagen on ‘Overdogs Podcast with Mike Perry’ Season 2 (@Overdogspod)

Recently, Renato Moicano also billed Topuria would succeed here. It’s also imparted to his possible success at UFC 317 against Charles Oliveira. Per DraftKings Sportsbooks, he now sits as a -345 favorite on the money line to beat the former champ. Meanwhile, Makhachev has to now face similar stiff standup challenges against a crowned name (Jack Della Maddalena) at 170 pounds, sometime later this year.

Also Read: