The war of words is heating up between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria.
Earlier in the week, former UFC lightweight champion Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) addressed Topuria's recent decision to vacate his featherweight title and move up to 155 pounds. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) has his heart set on an immediate shot at lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), but "Do Bronx" doesn't agree.
"I don't think that when someone changes weight divisions they deserve to fight directly for the title of the other division", said Oliveira in an interview with ABC MMA.
This prompted a response from Topuria, who tweeted: "Charles, it's better if you stay quiet. You have 10 losses, five by knockout, four by submission, and one 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".
Charles Oliveira Addresses Topuria's Jibes
Oliveira, who held the title briefly back in 2021 before Islam Makhachev's championship reign began, has been vocal about his wish to fight for the belt this year. Speaking during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday, the Brazilian addressed Topuria's comments.
“There’s not much I can say about that", said Oliveira via an interpreter. "It’s been 15 years again, you know, in the UFC. Respecting everybody, you know? I’ve said it already, my story is written there, everybody can see it. He’s coming from (being) a champion in the featherweight division and now just trying to come up and show all of this. But you know I have firepower in my hands and I’m really focused on the belt itself. It’s not about who’s going to be in my way, but (it’s about) getting the belt”.
While addressing the media this week at the opening of a new street in the Spanish city of Toledo, Topuria was asked if he would like to go for a walk with Oliveira through the city. His response was scathing.
"Actually yes, to give him a bit of culture and teach him something", the Spanish-Georgian replied, "because it's obvious that kid hasn't even read a single page of a newspaper. Another question please, because this isn't a good time to talk about someone like him."
Oliveira seemed unfazed by those comments when Helwani brought them up, preferring to remain magnanimous.
“I think he’s just trying to dig out a fight, you know?", the 35-year-old responded. "Like he’s saying a lot of crap. I really respect his fights, the way he’s come up (to 155 pounds) and everything, but he’s being very disrespectful now and he’s saying a lot of things that he shouldn’t”.
