Ilia Topuria Asks Shocking Question Ahead of UFC 317: “What Outcome Do You Want for Charles Oliveira?”

The UFC’s International Fight Week is always full of high-stakes drama, and UFC 317 promises to be no different. Headlining the card on June 28 in Las Vegas is a compelling clash between the undefeated Ilia Topuria and former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. With the lightweight title on the line, Topuria is aiming to cement his legacy as a two-division UFC champion.

Nicknamed “El Matador,” Ilia Topuria is fresh off two career-defining victories over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, which earned him the UFC featherweight championship and established him as a dominant force at 145 pounds. But in a bold career move, Topuria voluntarily vacated his featherweight belt to chase greatness in a new weight class.

Despite rumors of a potential superfight against Islam Makhachev, Topuria has instead set his sights on Oliveira, a man who once held the lightweight division in a vice grip. And Topuria isn’t just predicting victory—he’s forecasting a violent, definitive finish.

“What Do You Prefer, Submitting Him or Knocking Him Out?” – Topuria Sends a Message

Earlier this week, Ilia Topuria posted a video clip from his training camp with a chilling caption:
“What do you prefer, submitting him or knocking him out?”
It was a clear warning to Charles Oliveira—and a confident signal to fans—that the Spanish-Georgian phenom is not planning for a five-round war. He’s preparing to dominate and finish Oliveira inside the distance.

Topuria’s track record supports the bravado. He is one of the most explosive finishers in the UFC, with only two of his eight fights inside the Octagon going the distance. With a career record of 15-0, Topuria owns eight submission wins and six knockouts, proving he’s dangerous on both the ground and the feet.

The Most Dangerous Man Not Named Islam Makhachev

Topuria’s meteoric rise has many wondering if he’s the one to finally shake up the top of the UFC’s deepest division. While Islam Makhachev remains the pound-for-pound No. 1, he recently announced his move to welterweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, temporarily vacating the lightweight title. That decision opened the door for Topuria to make history.

By moving up and immediately fighting for gold, Ilia Topuria has a chance to become only the fifth simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history. He’d join legends like Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, Daniel Cormier, and Henry Cejudo in the exclusive “champ-champ” club.

And he’s not doing it the easy way. Charles Oliveira, even in his recent ups and downs, remains a terrifying opponent.

Charles Oliveira: A Dangerous Veteran with Nothing to Lose

While Topuria brings hype and momentum, Charles Oliveira brings experience and vicious finishing ability of his own. A former lightweight champion and the UFC’s all-time leader in submission wins, “Do Bronx” has a resume full of elite victims: Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, and Tony Ferguson, to name a few.

Even though Oliveira lost his belt to Islam Makhachev in 2022 and suffered injuries that delayed his comeback, he rebounded with a first-round knockout of Beneil Dariush in 2023. That win reminded everyone that Oliveira is still one of the most dangerous men in the division, especially when underestimated.

But if Topuria’s confidence is any indication, he believes Oliveira’s durability won’t hold up under pressure.

Topuria’s Historic Knockouts of Volkanovski and Holloway

Topuria’s resume may be shorter, but his victories carry historic significance. No one had ever beaten Volkanovski at 145 pounds—until Ilia Topuria came along and dominated the Australian across five rounds to win the featherweight title. Then came the even bigger shock: a knockout win over Max Holloway, another iron-chinned legend who had never been finished before.

To defeat both of these fighters, and to do it in such emphatic fashion, has already elevated Topuria to elite status. And now, his sights are firmly set on Charles Oliveira and the lightweight belt.

According to many analysts, Topuria’s striking is improving at a scary rate, and his grappling—while not as credentialed as Oliveira’s—is absolutely lethal. The combination of knockout power and submission threat makes him a rare breed of fighter.

Can Oliveira Withstand the Storm?

It’s not the first time Charles Oliveira has been doubted. He’s heard the talk before—about how he quits under pressure, about how his chin is suspect. But Oliveira has consistently defied expectations.

That said, his fighting style comes with risks. Oliveira is known for walking forward, pressuring his opponents, and welcoming chaos. But against a calculated killer like Topuria, that could be a recipe for disaster.

If Oliveira chooses to engage in a firefight, Topuria’s power and precision could end the bout quickly. If the fight goes to the ground, Oliveira may have the edge in jiu-jitsu—but Topuria has the strength and positional awareness to survive and even reverse positions.

What’s certain is that the fight is unlikely to go the full five rounds.

Training Like a Champion: Topuria’s Elite Preparation

One of the reasons fans are gravitating toward Ilia Topuria is his professionalism and work ethic. He’s not a trash-talker or a showman. He lets his skills do the talking—and he trains like a man on a mission.

Topuria has spent the last few years building a team around him focused on nutrition, mental health, strength and conditioning, and technical growth. Every camp is documented with intense footage of him drilling submissions, sparring with elite partners, and refining the same explosive combinations that ended Holloway and Volkanovski.

He’s even taken a more cerebral approach lately, discussing his mindset and strategy in interviews.

“I don’t go in there to win decisions,” Topuria said recently. “I go in there to make a statement.”

It’s clear that UFC 317 is more than a fight for Topuria—it’s a legacy moment.

What’s at Stake at UFC 317

This bout is more than just a title fight. It’s a defining chapter for two men in very different stages of their careers. For Ilia Topuria, it’s a chance to become one of the youngest and most dominant two-division champions in UFC history. For Charles Oliveira, it’s a shot at redemption and a way to reassert himself as the lightweight king.

UFC President Dana White has already called UFC 317 “one of the biggest events of the year,” and with the backdrop of International Fight Week in Las Vegas, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

If Topuria wins, he becomes a two-division champion at just 27 years old, possibly setting up a superfight against Islam Makhachev or even a champion vs. champion clash with Jack Della Maddalena.

If Oliveira wins, he reclaims his belt, silences the doubters once again, and possibly forces a rematch with Makhachev or a trilogy with Poirier or Gaethje.

Prediction: Fireworks from the Opening Bell

Both fighters are known for aggressive starts and high finishing rates. Topuria will likely test Oliveira’s chin early, while Oliveira may try to drag the fight into deeper waters to test the younger fighter’s gas tank.

But Topuria’s focus on efficiency, movement, and timing may prove too much for Oliveira’s chaotic style. If he lands clean, Topuria could secure yet another highlight-reel knockout. And if the fight hits the ground, don’t rule out a surprise submission from either man.

One thing’s for sure: Ilia Topuria has no plans of leaving the Octagon without a finish—or a second world title.

Final Thoughts: A Star is Rising, But Can He Survive “Do Bronx”?

As June 28 approaches, fight fans are bracing for an epic main event. Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 is the perfect blend of youth vs. experience, confidence vs. resilience, and precision vs. chaos.

Topuria’s message is clear: he doesn’t just want to beat Oliveira—he wants to finish him. Whether by knockout or submission, he’s aiming to leave no doubt. And if he does, we may be witnessing the beginning of a historic run that redefines greatness in the UFC.

Will Topuria’s prediction come true—or will “Do Bronx” rise once more from the ashes? All eyes will be on Las Vegas this International Fight Week to find out.