Charles Oliveira has finally got his title rematch. Not many expected ‘Do Bronx’ to win the title in the first place, but the Brazilian went on a golden run in the late 2010s and beat Michael Chandler at UFC 262 to win the vacant UFC lightweight title. The BJJ black belt went on to defend it twice. And just as it was looking like the Oliveira title reign had just begun, the Brazilian ran into Islam Makhachev.

The Dagestani famously went on to dominate ‘Do Bronx’ and submitted him in the second round of their UFC 280 clash, putting an end to the Oliveira era in shit order. And since then, the lightweight legend has been waiting for a chance to fight for the title again. He had to pull out of a title rematch at UFC 294, and the division moved on.

He has fought two top-ranked guys since then to try and earn another title shot. And now, finally, with Islam Makhachev leaving the division for a double champ shot, Oliveira is set to fight Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title at UFC 317. And the former champ is absolutely pumped for the fight, knowing full well what he is up against.

“We can see what the game is that we can play. But the real concern is what I will be able to bring to the fight, right? I was talking to Kat now, with the boys, and we are more than ready, prepared for this fight. I know he is a very tough opponent but I know the firepower that I have in my hands, I know my kick box style, I am going to go after this guy like I have never gone before, I have a promise to keep and I am going to get that belt,” Oliveira said in an interview with ‘MMA Shorts and Cortes’.

Oliveira, of course, doesn’t need to talk up his offensive skills. After all, the Brazilian dynamo is the most offensively successful in the promotion, and holds a record of twenty finishes in the UFC. In fact, many fans would perhaps prefer Oliveira not be quite as belligerent as he usually is against ‘El Matador’.

Ilia Topuria feels sorry for what he’s about to do to Charles Oliveira

The most dangerous weapon Topuria has is his one-punch knockout power. Which is why many would prefer ‘Do Bronx’ avoid any prolonged striking exchanges with the former featherweight champ and try to land takedowns and work him over with his world-class BJJ skills. But as you can see, Oliveira isn’t the cautious type, and has promised fireworks from the word first bell.

“In the first place, thanks Charles, the truth for having accepted the challenge, [which is] not something that Islam [did],” Topuria said at a recent press conference. “And [Oliveira] has to pay the price for Islam. I feel really very sorry for Charles. But well, at the end of the day, it’s my job… Whatever is least painful for him, that’s what I’ll do because I like him a lot.”.

As you can see, the always self-assured Topuria is confident as ever. In fact, the undefeated superstar feels that the fact that Oliveira has lost ten fights in his career also gives him an edge since “that’s a different mentality”. But then again, ‘Do Bronx’ is bigger than ‘El Matador’ and fights people much bigger than him and has the strength advantage. Which is why so many fans cannot wait for Oliveira-Topuria at UFC 317, even it is no Makhachev-Topuria What do you think about Charles Oliveira’s thoughts about his UFC 317 clash with Ilia Topuria?