Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira Lightweight Title Fight Headlines UFC 317

Sports news » Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira Lightweight Title Fight Headlines UFC 317

8 months ago 69

Ilia Topuria is officially getting his chance to fight for the lightweight championship.

UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Topuria will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title as the main event for UFC 317. The event is scheduled for June 28 in Las Vegas and will serve as the conclusion to International Fight Week. The lightweight belt became vacant when Islam Makhachev announced his move up to the welterweight division to challenge the new champion, Jack Della Maddalena.

According to White, the specific date and location for the potential Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev bout are still being determined. White also confirmed the co-main event for UFC 317, which will see flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defend his title against Kai Kara-France.

Topuria`s pursuit of a lightweight title opportunity has been speculated for several months. “El Matador” vacated his featherweight championship back in February with the anticipation of challenging for the lightweight strap against either Islam Makhachev or another leading contender. Leading up to UFC 315, much of the discussion centered on whether a successful welterweight title defense by Belal Muhammad (a friend and training partner of Makhachev) would prevent Makhachev from moving up. However, with Della Maddalena`s victory over Muhammad, Makhachev is now free to challenge for the welterweight belt, clearing the path for Topuria`s vacant lightweight title shot.

Holding an undefeated professional record of 16-0, Topuria aims to make history by becoming a two-division champion. Since joining the UFC in 2020, “El Matador” has rapidly climbed the ranks, securing impressive victories against fighters such as Youssef Zalal, Ryan Hall, Bryce Mitchell, and Josh Emmett on his way to claiming the featherweight title. He achieved a significant milestone at UFC 298 by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, becoming the first fighter to defeat the Australian star at 145 pounds. His prior victory over Max Holloway was also a notable career highlight.

Following the official announcement of his fight, Topuria shared his thoughts on social media, taking the opportunity to comment on Makhachev.

“On June 28, another dream will come true. I’ll be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance… I’m just fighting for my dreams. It’s unfortunate that Makhachev ran away. 17-0”

Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) is familiar with competing for vacant titles. He first captured the lightweight championship at UFC 262 by defeating Michael Chandler after the retirement of then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. “Do Bronx” successfully defended his title once against Dustin Poirier. However, he was later stripped of the belt after missing weight before a scheduled defense, although he went on to submit Justin Gaethje in that bout. Oliveira had a subsequent opportunity to reclaim a vacant belt at UFC 280 but was defeated by Islam Makhachev.

The co-main event is a rematch between flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (29-5) and Kai Kara-France (25-11, 1 NC). Pantoja previously defeated Kara-France when they were contestants on The Ultimate Fighter 24 reality show. Since that time, Pantoja secured the flyweight title and has successfully defended it three times. Kara-France has remained a consistent top contender in the 125-pound division and earns this title opportunity following a first-round knockout victory over recent title challenger Steve Erceg.