Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has offered his analysis on the upcoming lightweight title bout, suggesting that Charles Oliveira could face significant challenges against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317.
The fight for the vacant lightweight championship was recently announced after current champion Islam Makhachev decided to move up in weight class to pursue the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena.
This development sets the stage for a highly anticipated clash between former titleholders Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira. The two are set to headline UFC 317 on June 28th in Las Vegas.
Ilia Topuria, undefeated with a 17-0 record, transitions from the featherweight division to challenge for the lightweight crown. Charles Oliveira, meanwhile, aims to recapture the title he previously held before being stripped in 2022.
This matchup is particularly intriguing due to the fighters` contrasting strengths: Topuria is renowned for his knockout power, while Oliveira is celebrated for his exceptional submission skills.
Topuria`s recent performances, including knockout victories over former champions Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, have prompted concerns from some observers, including Aljamain Sterling, regarding Oliveira`s ability to absorb damage.
Aljamain Sterling Expresses Concern Over Oliveira`s Durability
While Charles Oliveira is widely regarded as one of the UFC`s greatest submission artists, questions have occasionally been raised about his ability to withstand powerful strikes.
`Do Bronx` has been knocked down in four of his last seven fights and has accumulated four career losses by TKO. In his most recent outing at UFC 309 in November, Oliveira was visibly rocked by Michael Chandler`s punches.
Considering Oliveira`s history of getting dropped and Topuria`s proven power, Aljamain Sterling believes Topuria has a significant chance of landing a fight-altering blow at UFC 317.
“Oliveira gets dropped every fight,” Sterling stated during an appearance on The Weekly Scraps podcast.
He continued, “Just about every fight… With that said, we know Ilia Topuria can crack. We’ve seen him get dropped before by Jai Herbert [at 155 lbs]… Came back [to KO him].
“He says he feels better at 155. His power is way different at 155. We know he could already crack at 45. [How] is that power gonna translate into at 155?
“If he could touch Charles the way he hits everybody else, I think it’s a bad night [for Oliveira].”
Sterling Leans Towards Ilia Topuria in Prediction
Beyond striking, Sterling also pointed to Oliveira`s grappling as a potential variable, questioning how the fight would unfold if it went to the ground against Topuria.
Sterling noted that Topuria hasn`t been truly tested on the ground by an elite grappler since his 2022 bout against Bryce Mitchell, which Topuria won via submission. While acknowledging Oliveira`s record-breaking 16 submission victories in the UFC, Sterling still seemed to favor Topuria.
“This is a hard one,” Sterling admitted when making his pick.
“I like Ilia in this one.
“It’s hard to count out Do Bronx… But then I said that about Max [Holloway]. I said that about Volk… and then Ilia goes out and does that to them…
“You’re like, who’s stopping this guy?” Sterling concluded, highlighting Topuria`s impressive trajectory.
Despite his recent focus on striking, Topuria possesses a strong foundation in grappling, having secured seven submission wins early in his career and boasting a background in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Percy Harlow