Ilia Topuria, the newly crowned UFC Featherweight Champion, is not holding back. With confidence bordering on arrogance, the undefeated Georgian-Spanish striker has fired verbal salvos at both Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev, calling them out ahead of UFC 317. In a sport that thrives on bold proclamations and high-stakes confrontations, Topuria’s statements stand out not just for their brashness, but for the seismic shift they may signal in the lightweight and featherweight divisions.

With a potent combination of knockout power, crisp striking, and unshakable belief, Ilia Topuria has emerged as one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars. Now, with his sights set on UFC 317, he’s issuing a challenge that could reshape two weight classes—and possibly create one of the most explosive rivalries in recent UFC memory.

Ilia Topuria’s Warning to Charles Oliveira: ‘He Will Fall Quickly’

When asked recently about a potential clash with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, Topuria didn’t mince words.
“Oliveira will fall quickly. His style is too reckless, and I will expose him in the first round,” Topuria told reporters at a UFC media scrum. “He’s a dangerous fighter, but he leaves too many openings. He won’t survive against me.”

Charles Oliveira, known as “Do Bronx”, is revered for his aggressive grappling and improved striking, but also criticized for being hittable and vulnerable early in fights. While he’s dispatched elite names like Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, and Dustin Poirier, many believe his biggest weakness remains his defense.

Topuria, who boasts a 15-0 professional record, believes he holds the exact formula to dismantle Oliveira. With ten career knockouts and a reputation for swarming opponents with intelligent pressure, the Georgian-born star has made a case that his precision and power could spell doom for the Brazilian submission artist.

But critics warn that Oliveira’s experience and submission arsenal can’t be taken lightly. With more submissions (17) than any other fighter in UFC history, Oliveira has repeatedly bounced back from adversity, proving he’s a master at turning chaos into victory. Still, Topuria insists:
“He’s never faced someone like me. Not with this speed, this control, and this precision. If we fight, it will be quick—and it will be brutal.”

Blasting Makhachev: ‘He Only Knows How to Run!’

If his words for Oliveira were bold, Topuria’s take on Islam Makhachev was downright incendiary.

“Makhachev only knows how to run. He’s good at wrestling, but he plays safe. He’s not a warrior—he’s a point fighter,” Topuria declared in an interview with Spanish MMA outlet Marca KO.
“If he fights me, he won’t be able to hide behind the cage or stall. I will make him fight. And when he does, he’ll go down.”

Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion and protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is widely respected for his suffocating grappling and strategic fight IQ. He’s successfully defended his title against Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier, proving he can dominate elite strikers and scrappy veterans alike.

However, Topuria isn’t buying the hype.
“I see fear in his eyes when someone pressures him. He tries to neutralize the fight, not win it. That’s not how champions fight,” he said.

While Makhachev hasn’t responded directly, his camp has previously dismissed similar criticisms as ignorance of the sport’s technical aspects. Yet, Topuria’s remarks have struck a nerve among fans, reigniting the age-old debate: Is dominance without aggression truly entertaining?

Topuria is betting that fans want knockouts, drama, and finishes—and believes that his style is exactly what UFC needs more of in the championship spotlight.

Topuria’s Rise: A New Era in UFC Featherweight and Beyond

Ilia Topuria’s path to UFC stardom has been meteoric. After dismantling Josh Emmett in a lopsided five-round war and then scoring a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski, Topuria was crowned the new UFC Featherweight Champion earlier this year. The win over Volkanovski shocked many, as the Aussie was widely considered one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the sport.

Topuria’s speed, movement, and accuracy overwhelmed Volkanovski, and the performance earned him instant recognition as a potential multi-division threat.

Now, with UFC 317 approaching, Topuria has begun flirting with the idea of moving up to lightweight to chase a second world title—and perhaps settle scores with Oliveira or Makhachev in the process.

“I want to be a two-division champion. That’s my destiny,” he said recently.
“I’ve cleaned out the featherweight division. Now it’s time to take over lightweight.”

UFC 317: Will Topuria Face a Featherweight or Lightweight Next?

The UFC has yet to officially announce Topuria’s opponent for UFC 317, but speculation is swirling. Some insiders believe he will defend his featherweight title against either Movsar Evloev or Max Holloway, while others suggest a surprise super-fight at lightweight may be in the works.

Given Topuria’s comments, the possibility of a catchweight bout or lightweight debut seems increasingly realistic. If UFC President Dana White sees the promotional value in a Topuria vs. Oliveira or Makhachev fight, it may happen sooner than expected.

White has already expressed admiration for Topuria’s drawing power, charisma, and undefeated record.
“Topuria is a star,” White said. “He’s got that Conor McGregor energy—dangerous, confident, and the fans love it.”

Whether UFC 317 serves as a title defense or a launching pad into lightweight stardom, Topuria has made one thing clear: he’s coming for legacy, not just belts.

Topuria vs. Oliveira: A Clash of Chaos and Control

If the UFC does book Topuria vs. Oliveira, it would be one of the most stylistically intriguing matchups in years. Oliveira’s chaotic, all-or-nothing approach against Topuria’s calculated destruction would provide fireworks.

Oliveira thrives in scrambles and unpredictability, often turning near-defeats into submissions. Topuria, on the other hand, excels in maintaining range, staying calm under pressure, and picking his moments with sniper-like precision.

The X-factor? Oliveira’s ground game. If he can survive the early onslaught and drag the fight into later rounds, he might have a chance to capitalize on Topuria’s inexperience in the lightweight division.

Still, based on current momentum, Topuria would likely enter the fight as the favorite, especially considering Oliveira’s recent loss to Makhachev and his history of early fight vulnerability.

What a Win Over Makhachev Would Mean for Topuria

While Oliveira would offer an exciting challenge, a win over Islam Makhachev would be historic. Not only would it make Topuria a two-division champion, it would end Makhachev’s reign atop the lightweight mountain—and possibly silence critics who question Topuria’s ground game.

Defeating Makhachev would also position Topuria as a global UFC superstar, joining names like McGregor, Cormier, and Nunes who held titles in two divisions. It would solidify his claim to being the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Topuria’s team has already begun laying the groundwork, teasing training footage of him drilling anti-wrestling techniques and sparring with high-level grapplers.

“He’s not afraid of anyone,” said Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent. “He wants Islam. He believes he can knock him out. And honestly, we believe it too.”

Conclusion: Ilia Topuria Is Coming for the Kings

With UFC 317 looming, Ilia Topuria has made his intentions crystal clear: no one is safe, not even the most revered names in the UFC. From calling out Charles Oliveira’s recklessness to labeling Islam Makhachev as a runner, Topuria is injecting new fire into both the featherweight and lightweight divisions.

What’s at stake isn’t just a win—it’s a chance to cement a legacy, build a two-division empire, and lead the UFC into a bold, action-packed future. Whether he fights Oliveira, Makhachev, or defends his featherweight title, one thing is certain:

Ilia Topuria is no longer the hunter—he’s becoming the hunted.