“I won’t let Oliveira get back up anymore” – Topuria talks about his true strength at UFC 317

Ilia Topuria has fired a chilling warning at Charles Oliveira ahead of their highly anticipated showdown for the vacant UFC lightweight championship at UFC 317 on June 28. The undefeated Spanish-Georgian phenom, fresh off a stunning featherweight title win, is aiming to make history once again — and he’s promising a violent finish.

The Las Vegas crowd will witness Topuria’s lightweight debut as he takes on “Do Bronx,” the most decorated finisher in UFC history, during International Fight Week. But if you ask Topuria, there won’t be much time to settle in. He’s planning to shut the lights out early.

“If I hurt him, he’s not going to have the chance to come back,” Topuria said in a bold pre-fight statement.
“My power is completely different than the other guys you mentioned before.”

Topuria’s Undefeated Streak and Knockout Resume Speak Volumes

Currently sitting at a perfect 16-0, Ilia Topuria has already established himself as one of MMA’s most ruthless finishers. His rise through the featherweight division was nothing short of explosive, capped off by a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to claim the 145-pound title.

Along the way, he has also delivered brutal finishes against top contenders like:

• Ryan Hall – KO via ground-and-pound

• Bryce Mitchell – Submission via arm-triangle choke

• Max Holloway – Vicious KO that sent shockwaves through the division

These weren’t just wins — they were statements. Topuria’s elite-level boxing and fight-ending power have become his signature, and now he brings that same weaponry into the lightweight division with his sights set firmly on gold.

Oliveira’s Reputation for Comebacks Doesn’t Scare ‘El Matador’

Charles Oliveira (34-9, 1 NC) is no stranger to adversity — in fact, he’s built a legacy on coming back from it. With 20 finishes inside the Octagon (16 by submission and 4 by TKO), he’s the most prolific finisher in UFC history. Whether absorbing punishment or navigating through fire, Oliveira has repeatedly found ways to win.

But Topuria isn’t buying the comeback narrative.

“That comeback stuff won’t work with me,” he said.
“When I land, you don’t recover. You’re done.”

Topuria insists that the power difference between him and Oliveira’s past opponents will be a deciding factor. He’s confident that once he lands, Oliveira won’t be around to regroup — because there simply won’t be time.

First-Round Finish? Topuria Makes A Ruthless Prediction

Ilia Topuria didn’t just say he’ll win — he guaranteed a first-round knockout.

“I’m going to finish him in the first round,” he told The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
“He walks forward — this is all I need.”

That walking-forward pressure, a hallmark of Oliveira’s style, is typically used to drown opponents in chaos. But Topuria claims that kind of approach plays right into his hands. Unlike past rivals who ran or circled, Oliveira will bring the fight — and Topuria believes that’s a tactical error.

“They move, they run — Charles doesn’t,” Topuria said.
“He stays in the middle, and if he does that with me, it’s lights out.”

How Topuria’s Style Matches Against Oliveira’s Chaos

This is a classic matchup of precision versus wildness, boxing versus jiu-jitsu, and composure versus chaos.

• Ilia Topuria is composed, sharp, and packs some of the heaviest hands in MMA pound-for-pound. His striking is fundamentally crisp, combining traditional boxing with aggressive counters and seamless range control.

• Charles Oliveira, on the other hand, is a whirlwind. He overwhelms with volume, unpredictability, and world-class submission attacks.

But Topuria says he’s not worried about being dragged into a scramble. He’s prepared, and more importantly, he claims he won’t give Oliveira the chance.

“He won’t get the chance to wrap me up,” Topuria added.
“He’ll be on the canvas before that.”

Lightweight Division at a Crossroads

With Islam Makhachev currently sidelined and rumors swirling about a future move to welterweight, the 155-pound division is wide open. This fight isn’t just for a title — it’s for the future face of lightweight MMA.

Both fighters are elite finishers. Both have championship experience. But only one can emerge as the new king of the UFC’s most talent-rich division.

And Topuria believes that man is already determined.

“It’s my era now,” he said.
“I’m going to be a two-division champ. You can mark my words.”

Can Oliveira Shock the World Once Again?

Don’t count out Charles Oliveira just yet. He’s made a habit of proving people wrong. After early-career setbacks and calls for him to be cut, Oliveira transformed himself into one of the most dangerous lightweight champions of all time, beating names like:

• Justin Gaethje

• Dustin Poirier

• Michael Chandler

• Tony Ferguson

His jiu-jitsu is among the greatest ever seen in MMA, and his striking has dramatically improved under the tutelage of Chute Boxe Diego Lima.

The key question: Can Oliveira weather the storm and drag Topuria into deep water?

He’s done it before. But Topuria isn’t like the others.

The Stakes Are Monumental at UFC 317

This fight carries massive implications:

• The winner becomes the new UFC lightweight champion

• Topuria could become the next big crossover star in global MMA, especially in Spain and Latin America

• Oliveira could complete the ultimate redemption arc and reclaim the belt that many believe he never truly lost in the cage

And for fight fans, it’s a dream matchup of contrasting styles.

Will it be Topuria’s power? Or Oliveira’s resilience?

Will it be a quick, violent finish? Or another gritty comeback?

Final Prediction: Who Leaves with UFC Gold?

Ilia Topuria has the kind of power that changes careers. He’s young, hungry, undefeated, and supremely confident. His rise through the featherweight ranks was meteoric, and his belief in his own hands is unshakable.

But Charles Oliveira is a storm that doesn’t go away. He brings violence, unpredictability, and the kind of submission game that turns mistakes into nightmares.

Still, if we’re going by momentum and matchup?

Prediction: 🔥 Topuria wins by KO in Round 1
Oliveira may pressure, but Topuria will catch him coming in. With precision. With power. And with finality.