Charles Oliveira is not interested in narratives or predictions. He’s not playing catch-up, seeking headlines, or attempting to show his worth. As UFC 317 approaches, where he will meet Ilia Topuria for the vacant lightweight title, the former champ seems as confident as ever. The Brazilian veteran understands what is being said: ‘El Matador’ is younger, sharper, and riding a wave. But Oliveira’s message is simple: he’s been here before and is eager to finish it again, but this time, it will be as brutal as it gets.

The Spanish-Georgian has previously criticized Oliveira’s losses at featherweight and even questioned his fight IQ. More recently, he gave a scathing warning, “On June 28, another dream will come true. I’ll be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance… I’m just fighting for my dreams. It’s unfortunate that Makhachev ran away. 17-0” followed by a ceremonial rose sticker.

This bout didn’t come without friction. The two wanted to face the dominant Islam Makhachev. However, the Dagestani departed the lightweight division entirely to fulfill his second-strap destiny at welterweight after Jack Della Maddalena beat Belal Muhammad at UFC 315. This, in turn, allowed Oliveira and Topuria to settle things themselves. And it seems that the Brazilian is planning to shock the world.

Speaking on the Full Violence podcast, ‘Do Bronx’ made it clear that he is not here to explain his resume. “It’s a great fight. He’s a great fighter, but I don’t need to prove anything to anyone about who I am, what I’ve done in the fight business. This fight came at a huge opportunity. I will knock out this guy. That’s for real.” It wasn’t hype, just a direct statement from a former champion who has seen more than most inside the cage.

Well, as we all know now, Oliveira has surely responded with a brutal prediction, even if he is the clear underdog in this story. Topuria’s rise has impressed many as ‘El Matador’ has already cracked the invincible chin of Max Holloway and previously sent Alexander Volkanovski to the shadow realm. Moreover, analyst Harvey Leonard compared his style to boxer Canelo Alvarez, highlighting how composed and precise he is. Even former champion Aljamain Sterling backed Ilia Topuria, pointing out that his pressure and footwork could frustrate Oliveira.

However, none of this is new to the Brazilian. He’s overcome doubters, knockdowns, and late-career reinventions—and he still wins fights. June 28 is about more than just the title. It’s about what happens when hype meets reality. Oliveira is not here to slow Topuria down. He’s come to put an end to it. And with the latest developments in Camp Topuria, it seems like it might turn into reality as well.

Ilia Topuria makes a major change to his camp that may help Charles Oliveira

Ilia Topuria’s rise has been sharp, but his camp is no longer the same as he prepares for the biggest bout of his career. Just weeks before UFC 317, he parted ways with his longtime coaches, Agustin and Jorge Climent—men who have been in his corner since the beginning. The split, allegedly due to growing distance and separate professional commitments, has left ‘El Matador’ in new territory at a critical moment.

He tried to maintain a courteous tone, thanking the Climents for “years of mutual learning and growth,” but the timing was clear. A new team is being formed, which includes his brother Aleksandre, Jesus Gallo, Javi Climent (no relation), Mani Tavanaei, and Mathias Ribeiro. Some of them come close, but they are not the foundation that propelled him to the top. Building chemistry requires time, and the Spanish-Georgian doesn’t have that luxury anymore.

And Charles Oliveira understands how to identify a gap. He’s fought killers amid chaos, adjusted in the middle of the fight, and triumphed against the odds. “You can’t afford cracks going into a title fight,” he stated in an earlier interview. “One distraction is all I need.” This is more than just a chance to fight for gold; it might be the moment ‘Do Bronx’ exposes a fighter still sorting things out in the absence of the voices that built him. What do you think? Who will win the fight? Let us know in the comments.