Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira doesn't support the idea of Ilia Topuria receiving an immediate title shot at 155 pounds.
UFC President Dana White revealed last month that Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) plans to vacate the featherweight title and permanently move up to the lightweight division. "El Matador" has called for a champ-versus-champ matchup against Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) right off the bat.
Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) disagrees with that idea and insists the Spanish-Georgian fighter needs to earn his stripes at 155 pounds before entering the title discussion.
“I think Ilia is a very tough guy, he deserves all the respect in the world", Oliveira said during an interview with ABC MMA (translated from Portuguese). "I met him recently at an event and he is a guy with a huge heart, but I don’t think that when someone changes weight divisions they deserve to fight directly for the title of the other division.
“There are many fighters fighting for that title, so it’s very difficult for someone to come and jump the line. However, I think if he puts on a great fight in a weight class as tough as lightweight, he definitely deserves a title shot”.
"Do Bronx" Calls For Title Shot On International Fight Week
Oliveira won and subsequently defended the UFC lightweight title in 2021, but he missed weight ahead of his second scheduled defense against Justin Gaethje the following year, leading him to vacate the belt.
After submitting Gaethje, the UFC booked him in a fight for the vacant title against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280. Makhachev submitted "Do Bronx" in the second round of that matchup and has held the title ever since.
“The UFC and MMA have a lot of guys who talk a big game", Oliveira said in a video posted to his Instagram account this week. "I can talk because I’ve been here for almost 15 years. I’m the bonus king, submission master, the record breaker…that’s me. I want to fight during International Fight Week, Makhachev too.
“Dana, Sean Shelby, Hunter, let’s make this happen. I really want this fight, I’m chasing the belt. I want to be champion again. I’m going to write this story one more time. UFC, let’s make this happen. This is the fight that everyone wants to see. I’m ready.
“Makhachev’s been talking a lot about wanting this fight so it’ll definitely be a war. International Fight Week, is this the fight you want? This is the fight you’ll get. Dana, UFC, Sean, Hunter, let’s make it happen. Just give me a call.
