Charles Oliveira, the former UFC lightweight champion, has put his desire for a rematch with Islam Makhachev behind him. Oliveira once believed that the version of himself who lost to Makhachev in 2022 was not his true form. However, now that Makhachev has moved up in weight, Oliveira has moved on and is focused on his upcoming UFC 317 vacant lightweight title fight against Ilia Topuria.
Oliveira’s Journey to UFC 317
Oliveira entered UFC 280 as the uncrowned lightweight king. He had been stripped of the title after narrowly missing weight by half a pound before his win over Justin Gaethje. This controversy was clouded by complaints about scale discrepancies in Arizona. Oliveira never reclaimed the belt, losing decisively to Makhachev in their vacant title fight. However, Oliveira doesn’t recognize the version of himself whom Makhachev submitted and no longer needs his former rival for closure.
“I have nothing against him. I’m not looking to fight him again,” Oliveira told CBS Sports through an interpreter. “I want to fight for the belt and he doesn’t have it right now.”
Makhachev’s Move Up in Weight
Makhachev vacated the UFC lightweight championship in pursuit of the welterweight title. To fill the void, UFC booked Oliveira against former featherweight champion Topuria as Saturday’s UFC 317 main event. For Oliveira, this weekend’s title shot isn’t just a fight, it’s the culmination of a three-year journey back to the throne.
“It’s wonderful,” Oliveira said. “It’s all written. It’s meant to be.”
Topuria: A Different Threat
Topuria presents a profoundly different threat than mauling grappler Makhachev. “El Matador” ranks among UFC’s best boxers, knocking out featherweight greats Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. It’s one of the most exciting fights in the sport between elite fighters with KO and submission proficiencies.
“It’s probably his boxing I have to watch for most…” Oliveira said. “We’re both guys who are always looking to finish, put on great fights, and move forward.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Charles Oliveira lose to Islam Makhachev in 2022?
Oliveira lost to Makhachev in their vacant title fight at UFC 280. Oliveira believes that the version of himself who lost to Makhachev was not his true form. He had been stripped of the lightweight title after narrowly missing weight by half a pound before his win over Justin Gaethje. This controversy was clouded by complaints about scale discrepancies in Arizona.
Why is Charles Oliveira not looking for a rematch with Islam Makhachev?
Makhachev vacated the UFC lightweight championship in pursuit of the welterweight title. Oliveira is now focused on his upcoming UFC 317 vacant lightweight title fight against Ilia Topuria. Oliveira believes that he has moved on from his loss to Makhachev and is looking forward to reclaiming the lightweight title.
Who is Ilia Topuria?
Ilia Topuria is a former featherweight champion who is now competing in the lightweight division. He is known as “El Matador” and ranks among UFC’s best boxers. Topuria has knocked out featherweight greats Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. He presents a different threat than Makhachev, who is known for his grappling skills.
What is Charles Oliveira’s strategy for his fight against Ilia Topuria?
Oliveira believes that he needs to be careful of Topuria’s boxing skills. Both fighters are known for their finishing abilities and their desire to put on great fights. Oliveira is focused on reclaiming the lightweight title and proving that he is still one of the best fighters in the division.
What is the significance of UFC 317 for Charles Oliveira?
UFC 317 represents the culmination of Oliveira’s three-year journey back to the lightweight throne. He entered UFC 280 as the uncrowned lightweight king and lost the title to Makhachev. Now, he has the opportunity to reclaim the title and prove that he is still one of the best fighters in the division.