Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria went back and forth through interviews and social media posts over the weekend, and “do Bronx” has made it clear what he wants next.
The former UFC lightweight champion posted a video on his Instagram page urging UFC officials Dana White, Sean Shelby and Hunter Campbell to give him a call and get the deal done for a rematch with Islam Makhachev.
“I wanna fight on International Fight Week,” Oliveira said, referring to UFC 317, a pay-per-view show planned for June 28 in Las Vegas. “Makhachev wants it too. Dana, Sean Shelby, Hunter, let’s make it happen. I really want this fight. I’m coming after this belt. I want to become champion again, you know? I’ll write this story one more time. UFC, let’s make it happen. This is the fight everybody wants to see. I’m ready.”
Oliveira lost by submission to Makhachev in October 2022, when they collided for the vacant belt, and has since 2-1 int he cage with a close decision to Arman Tsarukyan sandwiched between bonus-winning victories over Beneil Dariush and Micheal Chandler. Makhachev won four in a row since choking out Oliveira, defeating Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier and late-notice replacement Renato Moicano.
“Makhachev is saying he wants this fight, and it will definitely be a great war,” Oliveira said. “[International] Fight Week, is that the fight you want? That’s the fight you’ll get. Dana, UFC, Sean, Hunter, let’s make it happen. Call 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 interested in welcoming Topuria to the division. Topuria reacted to Oliveira saying it wouldn’t be “a big fight,” attacking the Brazilian on social media.
Charles, it’s better if you stay quiet. You have 10 losses: 5 by knockout, 4 by submission, and 1 by decision. You are the contender, while I am the champion, the father of the entire division. I haven’t come here to ask anything. Here, I am the one in charge.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 22, 2025
“UFC and MMA have a lot of guys that talk too much.” Oliveira said on the video. “I can talk about UFC history. I’ll complete 15 years here. Record of bonuses, of submissions. A guy that breaks records? That’s me.”
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