Ilia Topuria is set to fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title. Preparing for the bout, ‘El Matador’ has been looking quite sharp. And he has been oozing confidence ever since the fight was announced. Having knocked out the likes of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria has vowed to knock out Oliveira too. But ahead of the mega fight, fellow lightweight, Beneil Dariush, had a word of advice for the Spaniard.
Dariush recently made an appearance on the ‘Submission Radio’ podcast. Speaking on the lightweight title bout, he opined that Oliveira might be more menacing than he looks. Prasing Oliveira, the number 9 ranked lightweight, mentioned that ‘Du Bronx’ has a great chin coupled with some great striking. Dariush also stated that the way Oliveira uses his knees against boxers might be something that will slow Topuria down.
“A good boxer will dip low to fake or feint to get in on the inside, and that’s times where Charles will just raise his knee and mess with your timing or throw a kick – things like that. So, I think the fight’s a lot closer. I understand why people are favoring Ilia… I don’t think it’s going to be like, ‘Oh, he’s going to walk through Charles’, like everybody thinks,” said Dariush.
Surely, Dariush does have a point here. After all, Oliveira has been around for a long time in the UFC. Over the years, he has fought with a lot of quality athletes. Thus, coming into the match, it would be wise for Topuria not to be overconfident. Meanwhile, Charles Oliveira is sending the Spaniard a stern warning.
Charles Oliveira Vows To Knockout Ilia Topuria
Charles Oliveira has long been trying to get his hands on the lightweight gold. Now then, with the golden opportunity of fulfilling his wish, Oliveira is ever so excited to make it happen. Going up against Topuria, the Brazilian recently shared his admiration for the former featherweight champion. However, having achieved so much in the UFC, ‘Du Bronx’ is confident of getting a knockout.
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“It’s a great fight. He is a great fighter. But I don’t need to prove to anyone who I’am. What I have done in the fight business. This fight game at a huge opportunity I will knock out this guy,” said Oliveira.
Charles Oliveira on Ilia Topuria: “I will knock out this guy.” 🥶 Full lunch sit-down dropping soon. pic.twitter.com/ObRsSIa92A
— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) May 21, 2025
Thus, with verbal blows being traded, it remains to be seen how things will turn out in the future.
Also Read: Charles Oliveira Taunts Islam Makhachev For Not ‘Chasing’ Double Champ Status
