A combat for the vacant light-weight title between former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria (16-0) and former 155-pound titleholder Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) headlines Saturday’s UFC 317 combat card at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
Topuria vacated the featherweight championship to maneuver up a division in pursuit of a second UFC title. Oliveira has the chance to grow to be a two-time UFC titleholder. Newly topped two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski gave his prediction for the combat to Fox Sports activities Australia.
“They’re each thrilling fighters. Stylistically, it should be fireworks. I’ve received a sense it should end very early, although,” Volkanovski mentioned. “I do not suppose it is lasting very lengthy.
“You realize Charles Oliveira, he will come ahead. He will press like he at all times does. Ought to he in opposition to anyone like ilia with palms like Ilia does? Will Ilia simply attempt to hearth right away and attempt to land that shot? It is a very attention-grabbing one for me as a result of Ilia does have that energy however is he going to need to be that little bit extra technical slightly than simply brawl. I do not know as a result of Charles, if he does what he often does, he comes aggressively. He forces you to combat. Will Ilia need to simply be pressured into that combat, or will he need to play his recreation first? It will be attention-grabbing.”
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Volkanovski is aware of firsthand the facility Topuria has in his palms. He was knocked out by “El Matador” at UFC 298 in February 2024. He believes Topuria can do that very same to Oliveira on Saturday.
“I’ll go together with Ilia. I believe Ilia’s going to get the win. I believe Ilia can catch him,” Volkanovski mentioned. “I reckon an early knockout. Early knockout for Ilia Topuria.”
Topuria will enter the combat as a heavy betting favourite.
