Ilia Topuria’s Oath to Charles Oliveira: ‘Least Painful’ Will Be How He Ends the Brazilian Legend in the UFC 317 Lightweight Title Fight?

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The UFC is gearing up for a monumental clash at UFC 317, as Ilia Topuria steps into the octagon with the goal of becoming a two-weight world champion, taking on former lightweight king Charles Oliveira. While Topuria’s path to UFC gold has been electrifying, his latest comments ahead of this vacant UFC lightweight title fight have added a new layer of intrigue — and controversy.

In a surprisingly respectful yet subtly chilling statement, Topuria vowed to defeat Oliveira in the “least painful” way possible. And while the Georgian-Spaniard appeared calm and composed, the underlying message was clear: he intends to dominate, but without cruelty — a show of both confidence and compassion.

But make no mistake, this isn’t just about kindness. Topuria is on a mission, and standing in his way is one of the most lethal submission artists in UFC history.

A Clash of Eras: Oliveira Seeks Redemption While Topuria Hunts Glory

Charles Oliveira, who reigned over the lightweight division from 2021 to 2022, has seen the highs and lows of championship gold. With stunning wins over Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Justin Gaethje, Oliveira proved himself to be one of the most exciting and dangerous fighters at 155 pounds. However, his title run was cut short by Islam Makhachev, who submitted him in dominant fashion at UFC 280.

Since then, Oliveira has been on a comeback trail. A win over Beneil Dariush reminded fans of his elite skills, and with Makhachev vacating the lightweight belt to pursue a welterweight title shot, the door reopened for the Brazilian to reclaim his throne.

Enter Ilia Topuria.

The 28-year-old fighter stunned the MMA world in February by vacating his featherweight championship, just months after dethroning Alexander Volkanovski in a spectacular performance. Rather than stay and defend the belt, Topuria made an aggressive leap up to lightweight, setting his sights on new territory — and greater challenges.

With Makhachev’s departure, UFC officials saw the perfect matchup: Topuria vs Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight championship.

Topuria: “Whatever Is Least Painful for Charles”

In a recent interview with Alvaro Colmenero, Topuria addressed his upcoming opponent with an unexpected tone of respect.

“I feel sorry for Charles,” said Topuria. “Whatever is least painful for him, that’s what I’ll do, because I like him a lot.”

While his delivery was somewhat lighthearted, the intent behind the statement was clear. Topuria isn’t planning to toy with Oliveira or prolong the fight unnecessarily. He’s looking to finish it quickly and cleanly.

But this isn’t just a show of sportsmanship. Topuria is building a mental edge, signaling to Oliveira and fans alike that he’s in control — not just physically, but psychologically. He’s confident, composed, and calculated.

Ilia Topuria Unloads on Islam Makhachev: “Biggest Hypocrite I’ve Ever Seen”

Topuria’s respectful tone toward Oliveira didn’t extend to Islam Makhachev, the man many believe is still the true king of the lightweight division.

“He is the biggest hypocrite I’ve ever seen,” Topuria declared, referencing Makhachev’s refusal to fight him earlier this year. “He said he didn’t want to give me the opportunity because I was the little guy, and now the little guy is the one looking for the same opportunity I was looking for.”

Topuria is referencing the fact that Makhachev has now set his sights on the welterweight title, effectively abandoning the lightweight division after a dominant but brief reign. Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has also taken heat from Topuria, who says the team is running from the fight fans truly wanted to see.

“Ali should thank me for not beating his star,” said Topuria. “That’s the fight everyone wanted to see. I put everything I could on the table, and they ran away.”

The “Little Guy” Who Could Become UFC’s Biggest Star

Despite only recently entering the lightweight conversation, Ilia Topuria’s star is rising faster than anyone expected. Undefeated and unshaken, Topuria brings a lethal mix of power striking, intelligent pressure, and underrated grappling that makes him a nightmare for any opponent.

At just 28, Topuria is already seen as a potential generational talent, and the UFC has been quick to promote him as such. With his European roots, fluent Spanish, and thrilling fighting style, Topuria has the potential to be a global crossover star — if he can keep winning.

Defeating Charles Oliveira, however, is no easy task. The Brazilian is the UFC’s all-time leader in submissions and is known for surviving wars and turning the tide in the most chaotic situations. Topuria, despite his confidence, will face a unique kind of pressure in the octagon — one he hasn’t seen since rising through the featherweight ranks.

What’s at Stake at UFC 317

When Topuria and Oliveira step into the cage for the UFC 317 main event, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Not only is the vacant UFC lightweight championship on the line, but so is the right to become the new face of a division that has been dominated for years by names like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Charles Oliveira himself.

A win for Topuria would crown him a two-division champion, placing him among an elite class that includes Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes. It would also position him for massive superfights — possibly against Makhachev down the line or even the winner of a future welterweight title bout.

For Oliveira, this is redemption. A chance to prove he’s still among the elite and to silence the doubters who questioned his durability and mental toughness after his loss to Makhachev.

Topuria’s Mind Games and Calculated Strategy

Beyond his striking and grappling, Ilia Topuria’s greatest weapon might be his mind. His ability to control narratives, deliver chilling soundbites, and remain unshaken by criticism shows a maturity well beyond his years. His comments toward Oliveira — a promise of mercy rather than malice — may seem unorthodox, but they serve a strategic purpose.

By expressing empathy, Topuria subtly diminishes Oliveira’s threat level, painting the Brazilian as someone he doesn’t fear, but almost pities. It’s psychological warfare disguised as respect.

And when it comes to Makhachev, his scathing critiques have only fueled speculation about a future mega-fight. Even though the Dagestani has moved up to 170 pounds, the path could circle back to Topuria if both continue to win.

A Champion in Waiting or a Challenger Overreaching?

While Topuria’s confidence is undeniable, some critics argue that his leap to 155 pounds may be premature. He’s never fought at lightweight in the UFC, and Charles Oliveira is no debut-level opponent. The Brazilian has faced the very best in the world and has survived storms that would break most men.

If Topuria wins, he’ll silence those critics and add another incredible chapter to his meteoric rise. If he loses, he’ll be accused of biting off more than he could chew — vacating his featherweight belt too soon, chasing legacy before dominance.

But for now, Topuria remains the UFC’s most compelling rising figure, and his journey has already captivated fans from Spain to Georgia and beyond.

Final Thoughts: UFC 317 Will Redefine the Lightweight Division

The lightweight landscape is shifting, and UFC 317 will serve as the crucible for the next era. With Islam Makhachev moving on, and Charles Oliveira looking to return, Ilia Topuria finds himself in the perfect position to seize control of the most competitive division in the UFC.

“Whatever is least painful for him,” may have sounded gentle. But coming from Topuria, it’s more of a warning — a reminder that he doesn’t need to be cruel to be dominant. He just needs to win.

And if he does, the world will have a new king at 155.