UFC 317 proved to be a challenging night for Charles Oliveira in his quest to reclaim the lightweight championship. He faced Ilia Topuria, who secured a first-round stoppage victory. Topuria, who remains undefeated, became a two-division UFC champion by moving up from featherweight.
`Do Bronx` entered the June 28th bout as a significant underdog, with many predicting that Topuria`s power would cause him considerable trouble. The former champion has since broken his silence following the loss, sharing his thoughts and thanking his dedicated fanbase on social media.
Oliveira Comments on His UFC 317 Defeat
Having previously held the UFC lightweight title and mounted successful defenses before losing the belt and a subsequent challenge to Islam Makhachev, Oliveira had another chance to become a two-time champion at UFC 317. While he has successfully rebounded from past defeats, this latest loss to Topuria raises questions about his future title aspirations in the stacked lightweight division.
Despite his immense popularity, which keeps him relevant in the mix, securing another shot at the championship seems a daunting task given the potential contenders vying for the top spot.
Following a brief apology message on X (formerly Twitter), Oliveira posted a more detailed reflection on Instagram regarding the eleventh loss of his professional mixed martial arts career and expressed his gratitude to his supporters.
His statement read: “It wasn’t how we wanted it to be, but for the best, I want to thank everyone for the affection and wonderful energy. God bless you all.”
Lightweight Contender Calls Out Ilia Topuria
In related news, fellow lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan publically challenged Ilia Topuria on X, suggesting that he, not Oliveira, should have been Topuria`s opponent at UFC 317. Tsarukyan holds a recent victory over Oliveira from UFC 300 but was unable to fight for the title next due to an injury, preventing a planned bout against Islam Makhachev.
Tsarukyan posted: “It was never supposed to be Charles. I can finish Ilia, simple as that. And he knows it too. That’s why he’s avoiding the real #1 contender.” Although Tsarukyan successfully weighed in as the backup fighter for UFC 317, UFC President Dana White stated that this action doesn`t guarantee him the next title opportunity, though it certainly improves his standing.
