The upcoming fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira is anticipated as one of the most significant bouts in the UFC this year.
UFC 317 this Saturday will feature a lightweight championship main event, marking the first time since 2022 that a new champion will be crowned in the division. The previous champion, Islam Makhachev, vacated his title after four successful defenses to challenge the new welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena.
Ilia Topuria, who remains undefeated, enters this fight following consecutive knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. He has declared his intention to finish Charles Oliveira, known as the UFC`s leading submission specialist, by any means necessary.
Topuria is widely considered the favorite against Oliveira. Several prominent figures, including former champion Aljamain Sterling and Beneil Dariush (who previously fought Oliveira), have publicly predicted a victory for the Spaniard.
Adding to the predictions, a former BMF champion has also shared their view on the anticipated main event at UFC 317.
Jorge Masvidal Predicts Ilia Topuria Will Defeat Charles Oliveira at UFC 317
Jorge Masvidal has long expressed confidence in Topuria`s potential to become a champion.
Masvidal, the first fighter to hold the BMF title, stated that he has known Topuria for five to six years and consistently believed he would eventually become a world champion.
Topuria now has a rare opportunity to capture a title in a second division.
Masvidal told Red Corner MMA, “Ilia is one in ten thousand.”
He added, “Name anyone. I`ve trained with everyone, brother. This guy is special.”
Regarding Topuria, Masvidal commented, “I believe he is going to be a world champion at 155 [pounds].”
He asserted, “He`s going to beat Charles, man. He`s going to find a way to beat him.”
Acknowledging Oliveira`s skills, Masvidal said, “Charles is bigger. Charles possesses kicks, knees, elbows, excellent jiu-jitsu, and good wrestling. Charles is proficient everywhere.”
However, Masvidal concluded, “But Ilia is simply different, brother.”
Ilia Topuria Believes He Will Be Heavier Than Charles Oliveira on Fight Night
Oliveira holds a three-inch height advantage over the 5’7″ Topuria. Top-10 contender Mateusz Gamrot cited this size difference when predicting that the former lightweight champion would reclaim his title.
Topuria has dismissed concerns about his size for the lightweight division, asserting that he will actually weigh more than Oliveira on the night of the fight.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday, Topuria stated that his fight-night weight would be between 174 and 179 lbs.
For his previous fights in the featherweight division, Topuria typically weighed between 167 and 172 lbs.
