With UFC 317 coming up, the excitement is getting intense day by day. As Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira buckle up to fill into the big boots of Islam Makhachev, speculations are coming in thick and fast. Now then, the chunk of the predictions are favoring Ilia Topuria. And fellow lightweight Beneil Dariush also has a similar opinion.
According to the general belief, Topuria’s punching power is expected to reign supreme over Oliveira. However, Dariush had an entirely different take. He pointed out that the bout will be decided on the ground. One who has better wrestling skills will take the win. And for Dariush, it is certainly Ilia Topuria.
“I lean towards Ilia. Ilia’s got great power, and Ilia is probably the better wrestler. That’s where this fight could be decided — who the better grappler is,” said Dariush.
Beneil Dariush picks Ilia Topuria to beat Charles Oliveira at #UFC317 👀
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 23, 2025
"I lean towards Ilia. Ilia's got great power, and Ilia is probably the better wrestler. That’s where this fight could be decided — who the better grappler is."
🎥: @InsideFighting_ pic.twitter.com/MAR4wgm8FU
Surely, Topuria is known to have some quality jiu-jitsu skills. However, Oliveira has already expressed his doubts about this. He pointed out recently that Topuria has never used his grappling skills all this time. Meanwhile, a confident Topuria is already looking beyond this fight.
Ilia Topuria Names His Probable Next Opponent
Topuria looks like his own self yet again. In his previous two title fights, ‘El Matador’ remained confident and came out victorious. This time, too, the Spaniard looks quite confident about his victory. Thus, he is already making plans about who his next opponent might be. And according to Topuria, Paddy Pimblett seems to be a plausible option.
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“After Charles, hopefully Paddy. Hopefully he gets one more fight and wins that, and finally we can be in the same octagon together. I think it’s a matter of time, and it’s gonna happen,” said Topuria.
Ilia Topuria sets his sights on Paddy Pimblett after Charles Oliveira 👀🔥
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 22, 2025
"After Charles, hopefully Paddy. Hopefully he gets one more fight and wins that, and finally we can be in the same octagon together. I think it's a matter of time, and it's gonna happen."
🎥@ufc pic.twitter.com/o5VqbM5Wq6
Thus, with a lot happening, it remains to be seen who will have the last laugh.
Also Read: Charles Oliveira Fires Back At Ilia Topuria, Saying Everyone Knows Who The Real Champion Is
