Ilia Topuria has his light-weight title shot.
UFC CEO Dana White introduced Tuesday through Instagram Reside that Topuria will struggle Charles Oliveira for a vacant light-weight title in the principle occasion of UFC 317 on June 28 to cap off Worldwide Combat Week in Las Vegas. The belt is up for grabs with Makhachev vacating and shifting as much as welterweight to face new champion Jack Della Maddalena.
A date and placement for Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev continues to be to be decided, based on White, who additionally introduced that flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defends his title in opposition to Kai Kara-France within the co-main occasion.
Topuria’s light-weight championship alternative has been rumored for months. “El Matador” vacated his featherweight title this previous February with the expectation he would struggle Islam Makhachev or one other high contender for the light-weight belt. A lot of the speak heading into UFC 315 this previous Saturday revolved round whether or not a profitable Belal Muhammad welterweight title protection would stop Makhachev from shifting up himself (Muhammad and Makhachev are mates and coaching companions); now, Makhachev is free to maneuver up a division and problem for that belt after Della Maddalena defeated Muhammad.
Topuria (16-0) seeks to develop into a two-division champion. “El Matador” joined the UFC in 2020 and rapidly established himself as a contender, knocking off the likes of Youssef Zalal, Ryan Corridor, Bryce Mitchell, and Josh Emmett en path to a title shot. He made historical past at UFC 298 when he knocked out Volkanovski, turning into the primary fighter to beat the Australian star in a 145-pound bout, after which made historical past once more in his title protection in opposition to Max Holloway when he grew to become the primary fighter to knock out “Blessed.”
Instantly after his struggle grew to become official, Topuria commented on social media whereas taking a swipe at Makhachev.
On June 28, one other dream will come true. I’ll be the champion of the light-weight division. Charles, my apologies prematurely… I’m simply preventing for my desires. It’s unlucky that Makhachev ran away. 17-0 pic.twitter.com/YSutHz4U2h
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) Could 13, 2025
On June 28, one other dream will come true. I’ll be the champion of the light-weight division. Charles, my apologies prematurely… I’m simply preventing for my desires. It’s unlucky that Makhachev ran away. 17-0
Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) isn’t any stranger to vacant title fights. He received the light-weight belt at UFC 262 by defeating Michael Chandler following the retirement of incumbent champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. “Do Bronx” efficiently defended the title as soon as in opposition to Dustin Poirier, however missed weight in his second scheduled protection and was stripped of the title earlier than happening to submit Justin Gaethje. He had an opportunity to say a vacant belt once more at UFC 280, however was handily defeated by Makhachev.
Pantoja (29-5) vs. Kara-France (25-11, 1 NC) is a rematch of types, with Pantoja having beforehand defeated “Don’t Blink” once they have been solid members on The Final Fighter 24. Since then, Pantoja received the flyweight title, efficiently defending it thrice. Kara-France has been a mainstay within the 125-pound rankings and earns his shot after scoring a first-round knockout of latest title challenger Steve Erceg.
The UFC introduced an up to date lineup for the June 28 occasion at T-Cellular Area, which will be seen under (bout order nonetheless to be finalized).
Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France
Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Jhonata Diniz vs. Justin Tafa
Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape
Jack Hermansson vs. Gregory Rodrigues
Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez
