Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria went back and forth by interviews and social media posts over the weekend, and “do Bronx” has made it clear what he needs subsequent.
The previous UFC light-weight champion posted a video on his Instagram web page urging UFC officers Dana White, Sean Shelby and Hunter Campbell to offer him a name and get the deal completed for a rematch with Islam Makhachev.
“I wanna combat on Worldwide Battle Week,” Oliveira stated, referring to UFC 317, a pay-per-view present deliberate for June 28 in Las Vegas. “Makhachev needs it too. Dana, Sean Shelby, Hunter, let’s make it occur. I really need this combat. I’m coming after this belt. I need to grow to be champion once more, you understand? I’ll write this story yet another time. UFC, let’s make it occur. That is the combat everyone needs to see. I’m prepared.”
Oliveira misplaced by submission to Makhachev in October 2022, once they collided for the vacant belt, and has since 2-1 int he cage with an in depth resolution to Arman Tsarukyan sandwiched between bonus-winning victories over Beneil Dariush and Micheal Chandler. Makhachev received 4 in a row since choking out Oliveira, defeating Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier and late-notice alternative Renato Moicano.
“Makhachev is saying he needs this combat, and it’ll undoubtedly be a fantastic struggle,” Oliveira stated. “[International] Battle Week, is that the combat you need? That’s the combat you’ll get. Dana, UFC, Sean, Hunter, let’s make it occur. Name me.”
“Do Bronx” contemplated a rematch with Max Holloway for the BMF belt as a backup plan in case he didn’t get the Makhachev rematch in June, and didn’t sound involved in welcoming Topuria to the division. Topuria reacted to Oliveira saying it wouldn’t be “an enormous combat,” attacking the Brazilian on social media.
Charles, it is higher should you keep quiet. You’ve got 10 losses: 5 by knockout, 4 by submission, and 1 by resolution. You’re the contender, whereas I’m the champion, the daddy of your entire division. I have not come right here to ask something. Right here, I’m the one in cost.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 22, 2025
“UFC and MMA have quite a lot of guys that speak an excessive amount of.” Oliveira stated on the video. “I can discuss UFC historical past. I’ll full 15 years right here. File of bonuses, of submissions. A man that breaks information? That’s me.”
