UFC 317: Ilia Topuria warns Charles Oliveira, mocks Islam Makhachev with ‘ran away’ comment

UFC superstar Ilia Topuria has taken a sly dig at Islam Makhachev while throwing a challenge at his new opponent Charles Oliveira, a former lightweight champion. Topuria will take on Oliveira to decide who takes the lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28 during the UFC International Fight week.

Topuria has been a UFC Featherweight Champion but decided to move up the weight ladder to fight against Makhachev for the lightweight title. And in a surprise move, Makhachev, too, decided to fight in a higher weight category. The 33-year-old Makhachev moved from the lightweight division where he is the top ranked fighter to the welterweight division to challenge the newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena.

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Makhachev move from a division on Tuesday (May 13) where he is not only the number one fighter but also the champion did not go as per Topuria’s plan to challenge him for the UFC lightweight title.

Known as ‘El Matador’ Topuria, who is a Georgian-Spanish fighter, mocked Makhachev, stating he “ran away” from the lightweight division. His fight against Brazil’s Oliveira will be the second one for a world title in 2025.

“On June 28, another dream will come true. I’ll be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance… I’m just fighting for my dreams. It’s unfortunate that Makhachev ran away. 17-0,” the 28-year Topuria posted.


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Topuria has a 16-0 record as he comes into his 17 fight against the 35-year-old Oliveira. The fighter from Brazil is the more experienced one with 35 wins and 10 losses with one no contest.