Surging featherweight star, Ilia Topuria has admitted he’s solely interested by both a combat with champion, Islam Makhachev or former titleholder, Charles Oliveira in his anticipated light-weight bow — nonetheless, insists the Brazilian is “scared” to share the Octagon with him.
Topuria, the present featherweight champion, is ready to relinquish his belt as quickly because the UFC 314 headliner begins subsequent month in Miami. And seeing former foe, Alexander Volkanovski tackle the surging fan-favorite, Diego Lopes for the vacant crown in ‘The Sunshine State’, Topuria has sights mounted on a light-weight leap.
Nevertheless, but to e book his sophomore outing on the weight class, Spanish finisher, Topuria has been closely linked with a title combat from the get-go at light-weight towards present champion, Makhachev.
Ilia Topuria claims Charles Oliveira is “scared” of going through off with him
Moreover, he has this week admitted he can be open to a definitive title eliminator with Brazilian finisher, Oliveira, however believes the previous is afraid of going through him.
QAll my coaching is concentrated on Islam (Makhachev) or Charles (Oliveira), as a result of I don’t see every other opponents,” Ilia Topuria advised Alvaro Colmenero. “Neither of them seems to dare [to fight me]… These are the symptoms of fear, we all know that, but it’s normal. I’d be scared too.”
Ilia Topuria says he is coaching to combat both Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira subsequent, however they’re each scared 😬
“All my training is focused on Islam or Charles, because I don’t see any other opponents… Neither of them seems to dare [to fight me]…
These are the symptoms… pic.twitter.com/Fmp0w68id5
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 27, 2025
Nevertheless, at the start of this week as well, Oliveira shared his ideas on Topuria imminent transfer up a division, claiming he “crap” speaking his approach into title rivalry somewhat than incomes his shot.
“He (Ilia Topuria) was the champion of the underweight category so he is moving up to the category trying to bring this hype, wanting to do something big,” Charles Oliveira advised Ariel Helwani for Uncrowned. “I do know the firepower I’ve in my palms, I understand how a lot I’ve ready however I’m not centered on him however on the belt, I’m on the lookout for a title.
“…I think he’s just trying to dig out a fight,” Charles Oliveira continued. “He’s saying a lot of crap and it’s just I really respect his fights, the way he’s come up and everything, but he’s being (3:50) very disrespectful now and he’s saying a lot of things that he shouldn’t.”
