News broke earlier this week that former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria split with his longtime team ahead of his UFC 317 lightweight title bout against former champion Charles Oliveira.
Ilia Topuria’s former coach, Jorge Climent, confirmed that Topuria has left the team but is still confident that “El Matador” will emerge victorious on June 28 against Oliveira.
“It’s real. He went to live in Madrid. I have my own project here with my brother, with out family. We have a lot of fighters. We have our promotion. Ilia goes to Madrid. He has his own gym in his house. He wanted all the energy on him,” Climent told Submission Radio.
“We don’t work anymore together. He goes on his own,” Climent said. “This is not good for sentimental feelings but is the life we go with him on the journey and now he grow and wants to fly away. We are very proud to go all the way with him. We are very proud for everything he do.
“Of course we’re a little sad but I want everything in his life to continue going well. I want all good for him and his brother,” Climent continued. “We decided like last week. We go all together. We talked about it and we decided. We are friends. We do it like gentlemen.”
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Some have questioned whether Topuria’s decision to change teams ahead of UFC 317 will have an impact on his performance. Climent doesn’t think it will.
“I don’t think so. His performance is going to be great. He’s going to win,” Climent said. “I know him. I know this sport, and I think he is very focused and he’s going to do real well.”
Climent went on to predict that Topuria will defeat Oliveira via knockout.
