Charles Oliveira’s journey in the UFC has been marked by resilience and a hunger for challenges. Despite his previous stint in the featherweight division without a title shot, Oliveira remains steadfast in his pursuit of greatness. Ilia Topuria, the reigning featherweight champion eyeing a move to lightweight, has expressed interest in facing current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, though no official bout has been confirmed.
In a recent interview, Topuria expressed his readiness to earn his shot, mentioning Oliveira as a potential adversary. Oliveira, renowned for his submission prowess and increasingly recognized for his knockout power, eagerly welcomes the opportunity to showcase his stand-up skills against Topuria.
“I’m prepared to face anyone they put in front of me,” Oliveira affirmed in an interview with Oddspedia. “While I respect Ilia Topuria, lightweight is a highly competitive division. I have confidence in my striking ability, and I’m always ready to deliver a knockout.”
Oliveira’s UFC career is studded with impressive achievements, boasting an astounding 13 Performance of the Night bonuses, largely attributed to his exceptional versatility in both grappling and striking. In contrast, Topuria has made headlines with his knockout victories over established names such as Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
While Oliveira eyes a potential showdown with Topuria, he remains open to other high-profile matchups within the division. “The lightweight division is stacked,” Oliveira acknowledged. “I believe I deserve the next title shot, but I’m patiently waiting for the call. Whether it’s Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, or Ilia Topuria, I’ll be prepared.”
Looking forward, Oliveira also expressed interest in a rematch with Max Holloway, despite Holloway’s recent loss to Topuria. “A rematch with Max Holloway would be monumental,” Oliveira asserted confidently. “In our first fight, I was dealing with an injury. Given our aggressive styles, a rematch would undoubtedly generate a lot of excitement. I’m aiming for a knockout. The BMF title signifies the toughest fighter in the division, and I’m determined to prove myself.”
As Oliveira continues to carve his legacy in the UFC lightweight division, capturing the BMF title remains a significant aspiration. “I’ve proven myself as one of the toughest competitors in this division,” Oliveira affirmed. “Securing the BMF belt would solidify that reputation.”
