Oliveira vs. Topuria: Contenders and Fans Await the Call for War
Amid swirling rumors surrounding UFC 317’s main event, Charles Oliveira’s coach, Diego Lima, took to Instagram on May 11 to declare their readiness, presumably for a blockbuster showdown against Ilia Topuria. “Dana White, Sean Shelby, Hunter, we are ready and with pen in hand!!!” Lima wrote, tagging UFC matchmakers directly in a clear call for action.
Though the UFC has yet to confirm the bout, speculation is mounting that Oliveira and Topuria will headline the June 28 card in Las Vegas. The matchup makes sense in light of recent shifts at the top of the UFC’s welterweight and lightweight divisions.
At UFC 315, Jack Della Maddalena dethroned Belal Muhammad, opening the door for current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to move up and challenge. With Makhachev potentially out of the lightweight picture for now, Oliveira vs. Topuria is being positioned as a likely interim title fight.
Lima stated in an interview with Sherdog prior to UFC 315, “Everybody knows that Charles wants to fight for the belt during International Fight Week. Charles wants to fight for the belt, no matter if it’s against Topuria or Makhachev. But since you asked me who would be a better-selling fight, I have to answer Topuria. He is doing an excellent job promoting his arrival in the new division.
On the other hand, Makhachev disappeared a little bit from the spotlight with his indecision. One day he wants to go up, another day he wants Topuria, another day Gaethje. That’s not good for the sport. But we are doing our part getting ready for the UFC’s call.”
Topuria, ranked No. 3 in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings, is riding a meteoric rise. He captured the featherweight title in February 2024 at UFC 298 with a stunning knockout of Alexander Volkanovski, then defended it in October with another KO, this time against Max Holloway. In February 2025, he vacated the belt to pursue gold in the lightweight division and has since awaited the UFC’s direction on his next opponent.
Oliveira, ranked No. 14 pound-for-pound, remains one of the most decorated lightweights in UFC history. He won the 155-pound strap in May 2021 by finishing Michael Chandler, then defended it later that year against Dustin Poirier. Although he defeated Justin Gaethje in May 2022, he was stripped of the belt after missing weight. A failed title bid against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 followed. After losing a title eliminator to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April 2024, Oliveira rebounded with a fight-of-the-night win over Chandler in November at UFC 309.
With both fighters at pivotal points in their careers and the lightweight title picture in flux, fans now wait for the UFC to make it official.
Also Read: Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena – What Can Fans Expect From This High Level Matchup?
