Ilia Topuria Drags Conor McGregor Into Charles Oliveira UFC Beef With Unexpected Move

Are we witnessing the rise of a new lightweight rivalry as intense as Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo? The ongoing war of words between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira has escalated into something much bigger than a simple feud. With Topuria’s latest comments, many fans can’t help but draw parallels between his antics and McGregor’s legendary mind games before his clash with Aldo.

If history is any indication, trash talk can do wonders for a fighter’s career. And Topuria is playing the game with ruthless precision, targeting not just Oliveira but an entire region, just as McGregor did with Brazil in 2015.

Topuria Sparks Controversy by Repeating McGregor’s Words

The verbal battle between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira took a dramatic turn when Oliveira accused Topuria of being disrespectful toward division veterans. Instead of backing down, ‘La Leyenda’ doubled down, throwing gasoline on the fire with a statement eerily similar to McGregor’s infamous taunts before his fight with Aldo.

According to translations on Reddit, Topuria said,

“So for him [Charles] to say he’s the king and I’m the clown, if these were different times, I would have invaded his favela on horseback and killed anyone who is not fit to work, but we’re in new times, so I’ll just kick his ass.”

This shocking remark mirrors McGregor’s exact words from 2015 when he was trying to get inside Aldo’s head:

“My name, the McGregor name, my family’s motto is ‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream’—that means ‘royal is in my blood.’ That goes way back. So for him to say that he is the king and I am the joker, if this was a different time, I would invade his favela on horseback and would kill anyone who wasn’t fit to work.”

The similarities are undeniable. Is Topuria trying to follow McGregor’s blueprint for stardom, or is this just an extreme coincidence?

McGregor’s Mind Games—A Strategy for Success?

Let’s not forget how McGregor weaponized psychological warfare against Aldo. His relentless trash talk, combined with an intense promotional campaign, led to an unprecedented amount of hype. The fight itself ended in a 13-second knockout, making McGregor an instant superstar.

Now, in 2025, Topuria is attempting a similar approach, but this time against Oliveira. However, there’s a major difference—will Oliveira take the bait? Unlike Aldo, who fell victim to McGregor’s mental warfare, ‘Do Bronx’ has been through wars and may not be as easily rattled.

The question remains: Will Topuria’s bold move elevate him to the next level, or will it backfire spectacularly?

Lightweight Division in Chaos—Who’s Next for the Title?

The lightweight division is more stacked than ever, with a long list of potential contenders. The reigning champion, Islam Makhachev, has been a dominant force, leaving the rest of the division scrambling for a shot at the belt.

Here are some of the top contenders:

• Max Holloway—A fan favorite looking for another title run.

• Arman Tsarukyan – One of the most well-rounded fighters in the division.

• Justin Gaethje—The ‘Highlight’ is always a dangerous threat.

• Charles Oliveira – The former champ eager to reclaim his throne.

• Ilia Topuria – The wildcard, who just threw himself into the conversation.

But who truly deserves the next shot at the belt? While many favor Oliveira, Topuria’s recent antics are making sure his name stays in the conversation.

Oliveira’s Determination—A Lion Ready to Strike

After his devastating loss to Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira has been on a mission to reclaim his lightweight throne. His mindset? A wounded lion is the most dangerous predator.

During an interview with Chael Sonnen, Oliveira made his stance clear:

“I have already passed all these guys in the UFC. [There are] a lot of rumors, but at the end of the day, they’re gonna decide what they want to do, right? The right thing to do is Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev, because I’m number one. I’m just waiting for the call, just let me know the date and time, and I’ll be ready.”

Following his rematch victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 309, ‘Do Bronx’ has been vocal about getting his rematch with Makhachev. But with the division so crowded, will he get the opportunity? Or will the UFC go for the more controversial option and give Topuria a high-profile fight instead?

The McGregor Effect—Can Topuria Reach the Same Level?

One of the biggest questions surrounding Ilia Topuria is whether he can truly reach Conor McGregor’s level of superstardom.

McGregor’s rise was not just about trash talk—he backed it up with:

• Spectacular knockouts

• Undeniable charisma

• An ability to sell fights like no one else

Topuria has already shown that he can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk? The difference between becoming a legend and fading into obscurity lies in performance under pressure. If he fails to deliver in a high-stakes fight, his attempts to copy McGregor’s strategy will be nothing more than a failed experiment.

Will the UFC Book Topuria vs. Oliveira?

With the buzz surrounding this rivalry, the UFC could capitalize on the tension and book Oliveira vs. Topuria in a high-profile showdown. Dana White loves fights that generate attention, and this one is already heating up.

However, a few questions need to be answered:

• Will Topuria move up to lightweight permanently?

• Does Oliveira see Topuria as a real threat or just another loudmouth?

• Does the UFC prioritize sporting merit or entertainment value when making fights?

One thing is certain—fans are eating up the drama, and the UFC will likely use this moment to create even more hype.

The Final Verdict—Is Topuria the Next McGregor or Just Another Trash Talker?

The MMA world loves a good rivalry, and Topuria is doing everything he can to force one into existence. But will he back up his words with action, or will this all just be empty talk?

Let’s be real—McGregor wasn’t just talk; he delivered iconic performances. If Topuria wants to follow in his footsteps, he has to do more than just copy soundbites. He needs a signature win against a top opponent to cement his status.