Ilia Topuria has devastating power.
In fact, the former featherweight champion is the only fighter in history to stop the iron-jawed Max Holloway, a victory that came after “El Matador” finished current 145-pound titleholder Alex Volkanovski.
Topuria also got dropped by Jai Herbert in his last trip to lightweight.
That’s why Charles Oliveira wants fight fans to wait and see how their 155-pound headliner unfolds atop the UFC 317 pay-per-view (PPV) card next month in Las Vegas. “Do Bronx” and “El Matador” are battling for the belt vacated by Islam Makhachev.
“I don’t care much about what people say,” Oliveira told Full Violence. “I know he’s a guy who hits hard. But he’s talking about the lightweight category. The harder category. I fought Justin Gaethje and everyone said he was the guy who hit harder. But when I did, he went down. I believe in the fire and power of these hands I have, so let’s wait and meet on June 28.”
Oliveira floored Gaethje with a right hand at UFC 274 before finishing “The Highlight” by submission.
“I will knock this guy out,” Oliveira said about the 16-0 Topuria. “That’s for real.”
Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) rebounded from a close split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan to put the hurt on Michael Chandler at UFC 309 last fall. “Do Bronx” has an incredible 31 finishes in 35 wins and boasts 20 post-fight performance bonuses, including four “Fight of the Night” honors.
For much more on his Topuria title fight at UFC 317 click here.
