Famed fighter Ilia Topuria had previously declared on Joe Rogan’s popular podcast that his sights were set on the lightweight belt. Today, he gets his shot – UFC president Dana White officially confirmed that Topuria is slated to battle it out against Charles Oliveira for the open lightweight championship at the much-anticipated UFC 317. The event forms part of the annual International Fight Week, scheduled for June 28. Post-announcement, Topuria voiced his thrill of seizing this opportunity while also playfully provoking Islam Makhachev.
In the thrilling events that unfolded, Jack Della Maddalena apexed Belal Muhammad, prompting Russian sensation Islam Makhachev to step up his game by moving to a different weight class. Chasing a dual championship dream, Makhachev released his grasp on the lightweight title. Not too far behind on the same quest for dual-championship, Spain’s basketball Ilia Topuria seizes his opportunity to vie for the lightweight title this upcoming summer.
Despite the anticipation surrounding a potential face-off between Makhachev and Topuria – a match many fans thought was inevitable – accusations of Makhachev ducking the featherweight champion have arisen. This deviates from the widely-held belief of their destined showdown and stokes the fiery rivalry even further. Topuria expressed his stance with a bold statement: ‘Another of my dreams will bear fruit on June 28. I’m coming for the lightweight division crown. Charles, I offer my preemptive apologies… I’m in this for my aspirations. As for Makhachev, his elusiveness is disappointing. My record remains 17-0.’
The main spectacle of UFC 317 promises to be bustling with energy as fans from around the world gear up to see Ilia Topuria face Charles Oliveira in the fierce battle for the unclaimed lightweight title. The second most significant event of the evening will spotlight Alexandre Pantoja defending his title against Kai Kara-France.
Adding more excitement to the main card, the spectators will be treated with another gripping flyweight match pitting Brandon Royval against Manel Kape. Paulo Costa and Roman Kopylov, the middleweight contenders, will duel in a critical fight that has the potential to shake up the status quo. Lightweight combatants Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano will also lock horns in a match worthy of anticipation.
The approaching event, UFC 317, is already creating ripples of anticipation and excitement among MMA followers, with Topuria’s re-entry into the octagon. The eyes of the entire Mixed Martial Arts community will keenly track his pursuit of his second championship, adding an alluring narrative to this spectacular event.
Ilia Topuria’s previous announcement about his aspiration for the lightweight title, made on the globally popular Joe Rogan’s podcast, is coming to fruition. The UFC, under Dana White’s steerage, has officially marked Topuria against Charles Oliveira in UFC 317’s agenda for the vacant lightweight title. Eager spectators will enjoy this thrilling contest in the International Fight Week scheduled for June 28.
After Jack Della Maddalena’s victory over Belal Muhammad, Islam Makhachev, a standout from Dagestan, advanced his ambition to a higher weight class. Amidst his chase for the second belt, Makhachev decided to retire his lightweight title. Mirroringly, Spanish sensation Ilia Topuria, in his chase for a double championship, is now going to vie for the vacant lightweight title this summer.
There were expectations of a climactic confrontation between Makhachev and Topuria, a potential match perceived by the fans as predestined. However, with Makhachev now accused of avoiding the featherweight title holder, the narrative has taken a slight turn. Topuria, commenting on the situation, quipped, ‘June 28 will see another dream of mine come to life. I’ll conquer the world of the lightweight division. Charles, my early apologies… My fight is for my dreams. Makhachev’s sudden disappearance is unfortunate, but my perfect record of 17-0 remains untouched.’
The highlight of UFC 317 will undoubtedly be the clash between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira contending for the vacant lightweight championship. Alexandre Pantoja’s title defense against Kai Kara-France is set to be the event’s second major highlight. The main card will also feature gripping confrontations between notable fighters of the same divisions.
Another exhilarating flyweight tussle is set between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape, bolstering the night’s main card. The high-stakes middleweight bout will have Paulo Costa faceoff against Roman Kopylov. Furthermore, lightweight stars Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano are primed for a pulsating showdown.
With Topuria returning to the octagon and chasing after his second championship, UFC 317’s anticipation is at an all-time high. The MMA fraternity has its eyes set on this remarkable event. It is safe to say that millions across the globe are looking forward to seeing how the fight cards unfold.