‘Not As Expected’ – Oliveira Hints That Something ‘Isn’t Right’ in the Match Against Topuria

Charles Oliveira may have accepted defeat at UFC 317, but the former lightweight champion isn’t done processing what exactly went wrong.

After a devastating first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria, Oliveira has finally broken his silence with a cryptic message to fans. The Brazilian star hinted that something during the fight was “not as expected,” raising eyebrows among fans and analysts who watched the highly anticipated clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Though he made no excuses, Oliveira’s vague comments suggest that the man known as “Do Bronx” may have entered the Octagon with more questions than answers—about both himself and his preparation.

A Crushing Defeat at UFC 317

Heading into June 28, Charles Oliveira was given slim odds by the sportsbooks. His opponent, Ilia Topuria, had moved up from featherweight after vacating his title and was carrying an aura of invincibility following knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.

The narrative heading into the bout was simple: Could Oliveira handle Topuria’s speed and power?

The answer came swiftly. Just minutes into the first round, Topuria unleashed a vicious right hand that sent Oliveira crashing to the canvas. The referee waved it off seconds later, and Topuria was crowned a two-division UFC champion, becoming the new face of the lightweight division.

For Oliveira, the loss was more than just another defeat—it might signal the end of his title hopes.

Charles Oliveira Breaks His Silence: “Not As Expected”

In his first public statement after the loss, Charles Oliveira thanked fans for their unwavering support but raised questions with a subtle comment:

“It didn’t go as expected. I’ll be back soon. Thank you to everyone who was with me.”

While the message seems respectful and composed on the surface, the phrase “not as expected” has fans wondering what exactly he meant. Did Oliveira experience an injury during training camp? Was there something off with his weight cut, mindset, or fight preparation?

There was no immediate clarification from his team, but the message has only added to the mystery surrounding Oliveira’s UFC 317 performance.

Topuria’s Perfect Execution Exposed Oliveira’s Vulnerabilities

While Oliveira might feel something was off, Topuria’s performance left little doubt about who was in control.

Known for his pressure, speed, and pinpoint accuracy, Topuria came into the fight with a precise plan: walk Oliveira down, take away his forward momentum, and land with sharp counters.

“He doesn’t know how to fight going backwards,” Topuria stated bluntly in the UFC’s About Last Fight.

That observation became reality when Oliveira looked visibly uncomfortable backing up. His strikes were off balance, his reactions sluggish, and he never appeared in control.

Topuria’s power isn’t just physical—it’s mental. He forces elite fighters into bad decisions, and against Oliveira, the pressure cracked the former champ’s armor.

A Shocking Turn in Oliveira’s Career

The loss at UFC 317 marks Oliveira’s third defeat in his last five fights. Once considered one of the most dangerous men in the division, he now faces the harsh reality of being 35 years old in a lightweight division that’s getting younger, faster, and more explosive by the day.

After winning the title in 2021 by stopping Michael Chandler, Oliveira went on an incredible run, submitting Dustin Poirier and finishing Justin Gaethje. But since his title loss to Islam Makhachev, Oliveira has been fighting uphill.

The Brazilian remains one of the most beloved fighters in the UFC, but it’s clear that his window at the very top may be closing. And now, after a destructive loss to Topuria, the UFC brass may hesitate to place him in another high-stakes title fight.

Drake’s Huge Bet on Oliveira Fails Dramatically

Celebrity fanfare didn’t help Oliveira either. Rap superstar Drake reportedly placed a massive six-figure bet on Oliveira to upset Topuria—only to watch it disappear in less than five minutes.

Social media lit up with memes and reactions to Drake’s unlucky UFC gambling curse, as fans joked that the rapper’s bets have become a bad omen for fighters.

Still, despite the noise, Oliveira remained composed post-fight. But his subtle comments and somber tone hint that this loss might be harder to swallow than fans realize.

Is It the End of Oliveira’s Title Aspirations?

Many in the MMA world are now wondering: Will Charles Oliveira ever fight for UFC gold again?

He still has the name recognition. He still has the fanbase. And his resume remains one of the most impressive in UFC history—the all-time submission leader, a former champion, and a relentless warrior.

But the lightweight title picture is now crowded. Topuria is focused on defending against younger contenders like Arman Tsarukyan, Mateusz Gamrot, or possibly Paddy Pimblett, who faced off with him after the UFC 317 main event.

Oliveira, at 35 and coming off a brutal knockout, is no longer the obvious next man up.

Unless he can rebound with a signature win soon, he may find himself relegated to gatekeeper status—a bitter pill to swallow for someone who once sat atop the most competitive division in the sport.

A Decline Years in the Making?

The writing has been on the wall for some time. Even in his victories, Oliveira’s defense has often been a liability. He gets hit, he gets dropped, and he relies on his jiu-jitsu to survive chaos.

Against Topuria, that formula failed. Once Oliveira was hurt, there was no time for jiu-jitsu, no scramble, no Hail Mary submission. Just a devastating punch and the cold canvas.

His recent record tells a difficult story:

• ✅ Beat Michael Chandler – UFC 262

• ✅ Beat Dustin Poirier – UFC 269

• ✅ Beat Justin Gaethje – UFC 274

• ❌ Lost to Islam Makhachev – UFC 280

• ✅ Beat Michael Chandler (rematch) – 2024

• ❌ Lost to Arman Tsarukyan – UFC 310

• ❌ Lost to Ilia Topuria – UFC 317

The game is evolving, and while Oliveira’s heart is unquestionable, his tools may be aging out of the elite tier.

Could Oliveira Still Return Strong?

It would be foolish to count out Charles Oliveira entirely. He’s defied expectations more than once. From being labeled a journeyman early in his UFC run to becoming champion, his story is one of resilience.

He has the ability to finish anyone on any night, especially if matched wisely. Potential comeback fights include names like Rafael Fiziev, Dan Hooker, or even a rematch with Beneil Dariush—all winnable, yet meaningful bouts.

But if Oliveira wants another crack at gold, he’ll need to address the holes in his game, reassess his style, and perhaps rethink how he approaches younger, hungrier fighters like Topuria.

What Does “Not As Expected” Really Mean?

Fans and analysts will continue speculating on Oliveira’s cryptic post-fight message.

Was he injured?
Was there a bad weight cut?
Was his mind not in the fight?
Did he overtrain or underprepare?

We may never get the full story. Fighters rarely divulge everything. But one thing is clear: Oliveira wasn’t himself on fight night, and he knows it.

Whether that realization fuels a comeback—or signals an eventual farewell—remains to be seen.

Final Thoughts: A New King Rises, But the Veteran’s Story Isn’t Over

UFC 317 was the night Ilia Topuria claimed the throne and showed the MMA world that a new lightweight era has arrived.

But in the shadows of that coronation, Charles Oliveira quietly bowed his head—not in shame, but in contemplation. “Not as expected,” he said. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the fuel he needs to write one final glorious chapter.

For now, fans await his next move. Will he regroup and rise again? Or will this loss mark the beginning of the end?

Either way, Charles Oliveira remains a legend. And legends, even in defeat, always leave the door cracked for one more war.