Charles Oliveira warns Ilia Topuria “I have very strong hands”
Ilia Topuria is roaring into UFC 317 with a frightening promise: he’s going to knock out Charles Oliveira in the first round. It’s a bold prediction, but it reflects the confidence—and the violent efficiency—that have defined Topuria’s meteoric rise. But Charles Oliveira isn’t just another name on a resume. He’s a former champion, a veteran of wars, and arguably the most dangerous submission artist in UFC history.
With the vacant lightweight title on the line, this clash is more than just a fight—it’s a battle of legacies, styles, and psychological warfare. And if the build-up is any indication, fans are in for an all-time classic.
Topuria’s Featherweight Reign Fuels His Lightweight Ambition
After conquering the featherweight division by brutally knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, and then defending his title with a devastating KO of Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria made the audacious decision to move up to lightweight. While many champions ease into a new weight class with a tune-up fight, Topuria is jumping straight into the fire by facing Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira for the belt.
It’s this fearless approach that has Topuria’s stock soaring. His power is real. His striking is precise. And his confidence? Borderline terrifying.
“It doesn’t matter who is in front of me,” Topuria said during UFC 317 Countdown. “Charles is not going to have any advantages. I’m a very complete fighter. I can go everywhere, and you are not going to feel comfortable in any place.”
Topuria’s 15-0 record reflects that dominance. No one has been able to stop him—and he doesn’t believe Oliveira will be the first.
Charles Oliveira: The Underdog with Dangerous Intentions
Despite being the former UFC lightweight champion and holding the record for the most finishes in UFC history, Charles Oliveira enters UFC 317 as a heavy underdog. Bookmakers, analysts, and a vocal chunk of the MMA fanbase have pegged Topuria as the favorite.
And that’s just the way Oliveira likes it.
This isn’t new ground for “Do Bronx.” He was once dismissed as inconsistent and fragile. But in the past few years, he’s finished Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler, all in violent fashion, to silence critics and build his legacy.
Now, he’s looking to do it again—by derailing the Topuria hype train.
“I’ve got heavy hands too,” Oliveira told reporters. “I’ve fought bigger punchers. I’ve fought better grapplers. I’ve fought champions. I know how to win when no one expects me to.”
A Stylistic Collision: Grappling Wizard vs Precision Striker
Ilia Topuria comes from a grappling base, but in recent years has emerged as a terrifying striker. His ability to pressure opponents, cut angles, and explode with knockout power has made him a nightmare on the feet. However, his takedown defense and overall wrestling have also proven elite.
But he has never faced a grappler like Oliveira.
Charles Oliveira’s submission game is the most lethal in the UFC. With 21 submission wins, he can turn a slight mistake into a tap-out within seconds. His aggressive guard, slick transitions, and willingness to attack from any position make him dangerous at all times.
Still, Topuria isn’t worried.
“He has 10 losses, I have zero. I respect him, but I’m going to take his head off,” said Topuria. “This is my time. This is my belt.”
Topuria’s plan is simple: keep the fight standing, overwhelm Oliveira early, and land the finishing blow before the Brazilian gets a chance to drag the fight to the mat.
Oliveira Fires Back: “I’m the Better Striker”
Oliveira, though, isn’t buying into the narrative that Topuria is the superior striker. In fact, he claims he has the edge on the feet—an assertion that’s caught fans off guard.
“He thinks he’s going to walk forward and take me down, but I see myself much better everywhere,” Oliveira said. “I see myself knocking him out in the first round.”
That may sound like bluster, but Oliveira has reason to believe it. He’s dropped elite fighters like Chandler, Poirier, and Gaethje—all of whom were considered knockout artists.
In the chaos of battle, Oliveira thrives.
What’s at Stake at UFC 317?
At UFC 317, more than just the vacant lightweight belt is on the line. For Ilia Topuria, this is a chance to join the exclusive list of two-division UFC champions and continue building his mystique as an undefeated phenom.
For Charles Oliveira, this is a chance at redemption. After losing the belt to Islam Makhachev in 2022, he’s clawed his way back into title contention. Defeating Topuria would restore his throne and cement his status as one of the greatest lightweights ever.
Mental Warfare: Confidence or Arrogance?
The mental game has become a key subplot in this rivalry. Topuria’s unwavering belief in his superiority borders on arrogance, but it’s worked for him so far. He’s bullied and broken champions. He’s walked through chaos without blinking.
Oliveira, on the other hand, is calm and composed, letting his experience do the talking.
“He’s never been in a war like the one I bring,” Oliveira said. “He’s going to find out.”
Topuria disagrees.
“I make them play my game, and when they do, they lose.”
The mindsets of both men reflect the stakes: one wants to confirm his greatness, while the other wants to reclaim his legacy.
The Pressure of Perfection
Ilia Topuria’s undefeated record is both his weapon and his burden. The mystique of being unbeaten fuels his aura. But it also makes every fight a risk. One slip, one mistake, and the narrative could shatter.
Charles Oliveira has already tasted defeat. And that experience gives him something Topuria doesn’t have yet: the wisdom of survival.
When pushed into deep waters, how will Topuria respond? Can he maintain his composure if he doesn’t get the early knockout?
Prediction: Fireworks in Round One, Chaos if It Goes Long
This fight could be over in five minutes—or it could become a legendary war.
If Topuria connects early, he might score another brutal KO.
If Oliveira drags the fight into the later rounds, his experience and grappling could turn the tide.
But both men seem to believe the fight won’t go long.
“I’m going to finish it in Round 1,” Topuria said confidently.
“Same here,” Oliveira added, smirking.
Final Thoughts: UFC 317 Is Must-Watch Mayhem
UFC 317’s main event might be the most intriguing stylistic clash of the year. A hungry, unbeaten predator in Ilia Topuria facing a reborn legend in Charles Oliveira, both promising to end the fight violently and quickly.
With the vacant lightweight title up for grabs, legacies will be made—or broken—on fight night.
Will Topuria make history as a two-division champion with another knockout?
Or will Oliveira prove that kings may fall, but they can always rise again?
One thing is certain: when the cage door closes at UFC 317, only one man will walk out as the new lightweight king.
