With the UFC building up towards one of the biggest events of the year, Charles Oliveira is as sure as ever. Headlining UFC 317 during International Fight Week on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Brazilian phenom Charles Oliveira has a keen focus on becoming an all-time great by reclaiming the lightweight title, and he thinks fate is in his favor.
Charles Oliveira Aims to Create UFC History at UFC 317
If he wins at UFC 317, Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) will be the first two-time lightweight champion in UFC history. He meets the undefeated Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who is a former featherweight champion who just dropped his title to go up to 155 pounds.
While most expected Topuria to fight Islam Makhachev, the latter decided to drop down to welterweight, leaving the lightweight belt vacant in the process. That left the opportunity for Oliveira to return to familiar comfort zones, contesting an empty title for the third time in his career.
UFC 317: Oliveira vs Topuria – The Matchup
Oliveira has shown absolute respect to Topuria since he moved into the lightweight division, but Topuria has not reciprocated this respect. Topuria has publicly criticized Oliveira in the lead-up to UFC 317, questioning both his fighting ability and intelligence.
Oliveira, the respectful fighter with the champion’s mindset, recognized the disrespect and is going to respond to it within the Octagon.
“He has not treated me with the same respect,” Oliveira said via an interpreter. “But the fact is, we’ll see what happens on June 28. Everyone knows who the real champion is.”
A Fighter of Records: Oliveira’s Legendary UFC Resume
At 35, Charles Oliveira already boasts one of the most accomplished careers in UFC history. He holds all-time UFC records for:
Most stoppage wins
Most submission victories
Most fight-night bonuses
Now, with an opportunity to add another belt to his portfolio, Oliveira is relishing the test against undefeated Ilia Topuria, who is commonly hailed as the UFC’s future star.
“It’s a title fight. It doesn’t matter if there’s a current champion or not,” Oliveira said to the media. “It’s exciting, especially because he’s undefeated. That just makes the victory more special.”
UFC 317: The Title Fight That Will Define the Division
With the empty lightweight title hanging in the balance, UFC 317 is no ordinary headliner, it’s a fight for credibility in the 155-pound weight class. Oliveira’s goal is obvious: shut down the hype surrounding Topuria and reaffirm himself as the undisputed lightweight monarch.
With their limited and professional encounter at UFC 312 in Sydney, tensions are set to escalate when the two face each other face-to-face at the pre-fight press conference. For Oliveira, it’s not just another fight, it’s legacy, redemption, and showing that his time is not yet over.
Charles Oliveira at UFC 317: “It’s Already Written”
Oliveira’s poised but assertive approach to UFC 317 is as clear as day:
“I just want to win,” he said. “It’s meant to be. It’s already written.”
With a loaded camp, world-class experience, and the urgency of a legacy-defining opportunity, Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 is on the brink of a historic comeback. The Octagon will decide if fate indeed smiles on “Do Bronx” or if Topuria will carry his undefeated streak into a new weight division.
UFC 317 Set to Deliver Fireworks
The UFC 317 Oliveira vs Topuria headliner is poised to be the most highly anticipated battle of the year. With history, respect, rivalry, and legacy hanging in the balance, fans will get a war in the cage when these two combatants meet for the vacant lightweight title.
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