Watch Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira have heated conversation during UFC 317 face off as Dana White watches on
ILIA TOPURIA and Charles Oliveira took part in a tense conversation during their first face-off ahead of their lightweight title fight.
The pair, 28 and 35 respectively, will
Las Vegas
.
Advertisement
3
Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira faced off for the first time at the UFC 317 pre-fight press conference
Credit: CHISANGA MALATA
3
The pair ended up having an intense conversation, prompting Oliveira to take off his glasses
Georgian-born Spaniard Topuria will look to become only the tenth fighter in UFC
history
to hold titles in two weight classes.
Fan favourite
The pair had an unexpected run-in at the UFC Performance Institute on Wednesday, crossing paths at the sauna.
But they got a better chance to size up one another after the pre-fight press conference at the T-Mobile Arena early on Friday morning.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON TOPURIA
The duo stared intensely in one another's eyes moments after shaking hands.
An intense conversation ensued, so much so that Oliveira took off his glasses as Topuria spoke.
The undefeated Topuria claimed and defended the featherweight title, which he's since relinquished, last year by gunning down MMA legends
And he plans to become a two-weight world champion in equally as devastating fashion.
Advertisement
Most read in MMA
He said of the pair's Sin City showdown: "Charles is a great fighter.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
3
Ilia Topuria can become only the tenth fighter in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes this weekend
Credit: GETTY
"I'd say he's a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC.
Advertisement
"But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to
sleep
in the first round.
Ilia Topuria performs shock Paddy Pimblett U-turn ahead of UFC 317 after seemingly squashing beef with Brit
"Because he has no mobility, he doesn't move."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Watch Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira have heated conversation during UFC 317 face off as Dana White watches on
ILIA TOPURIA and Charles Oliveira took part in a tense conversation during their first face-off ahead of their lightweight title fight. The pair, 28 and 35 respectively, will Las Vegas . Advertisement 3 Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira faced off for the first time at the UFC 317 pre-fight press conference Credit: CHISANGA MALATA 3 The pair ended up having an intense conversation, prompting Oliveira to take off his glasses Georgian-born Spaniard Topuria will look to become only the tenth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes. Fan favourite The pair had an unexpected run-in at the UFC Performance Institute on Wednesday, crossing paths at the sauna. But they got a better chance to size up one another after the pre-fight press conference at the T-Mobile Arena early on Friday morning. Advertisement READ MORE ON TOPURIA The duo stared intensely in one another's eyes moments after shaking hands. An intense conversation ensued, so much so that Oliveira took off his glasses as Topuria spoke. The undefeated Topuria claimed and defended the featherweight title, which he's since relinquished, last year by gunning down MMA legends And he plans to become a two-weight world champion in equally as devastating fashion. Advertisement Most read in MMA He said of the pair's Sin City showdown: "Charles is a great fighter. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 Ilia Topuria can become only the tenth fighter in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes this weekend Credit: GETTY "I'd say he's a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC. Advertisement "But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to sleep in the first round. Ilia Topuria performs shock Paddy Pimblett U-turn ahead of UFC 317 after seemingly squashing beef with Brit "Because he has no mobility, he doesn't move."
The 42
6 hours ago
- The 42
The Irish rugby club in Perth buzzing to have the Lions in town
THERE WILL BE thousands of Irish fans travelling Down Under in the next few weeks to be part of the Lions' famous 'Sea of Red.' Given the hefty Irish representation in the Lions squad and staff, there has never been more reason to make the trek. But this tour is also significant for the Irish who call Australia home. Around 2.5 million people there have Irish heritage and more than 100,000 Irish-born people are living Down Under. We're talking about roughly 10% of all Australians being connected to Ireland. So a green-tinged Lions tour is very welcome indeed. And the Lions' first stop on tour is a case in point. Perth is a popular destination among the estimated 40,000 Irish people who emigrate to Australia annually. Mining, construction, and medical jobs are big draws, as is the chilled-out lifestyle and natural beauty on the west coast. Tralee man Brendan O'Mahony – who has been in Perth for 14 years – is a project manager with Civmec, a construction and engineering company that was involved in building Optus Stadium, the venue for the Lions' opening game against Western Force on Saturday. O'Mahony is also the president of Perth Irish RFC, who are celebrating their 10th season as a club. Lions fever has been rife among Perth Irish and they welcomed the tourists' chairman, Ieuan Evans, and CEO, Ben Calveley, down to their home at Centenary Park earlier this week. All the local senior competitions have a bye this weekend because of the Lions' visit, but Perth Irish are hosting a junior rugby carnival on Saturday morning. Optus Stadium in Perth. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Most people involved in Perth Irish will then be at the Western Force game on Saturday evening and many of them will fly to the east coast to be at one or more of the Lions' Tests against the Wallabies. 'Rugby union is struggling in Australia but within our expat circle, there's a lot of excitement around the Lions,' says O'Mahony. 'Thankfully, the Wallabies have started to pick their socks up a little bit. Two years ago, it wasn't looking good for a Lions tour, but I think they'll give them a good match now.' Advertisement Whatever about the Wallabies' renewal under Joe Schmidt, there's no doubt that Perth Irish hope to keep going from strength to strength. The club was founded in early 2016. Seamus Walsh, a Waterford man, had been bringing his son to play junior rugby elsewhere and couldn't help but notice how many Irish kids and parents there were. We could nearly start our own thing, he thought. So they did. A meeting took place at the Irish Club of Western Australia in the Subiaco suburb of Perth. Walsh and some friends formed the rugby club and took to Facebook to get the message out. O'Mahony was among a group of around 40 lads who turned up for the first few training sessions. He played in the club's first-ever trial game against Curtin University in March 2016. 'It was a tough slog for a couple of years,' says O'Mahony, 'but it was always good fun and it was all about growing the club.' The Perth Irish women's team. Perth Irish RFC Perth Irish RFC Perth Irish expanded slowly but surely and they won their first silverware in 2019 with Western Australia Championship Grade success, which remains their only title so far. The women's team was launched in 2017, another big milestone. But then Covid hit and almost killed the club. They just about clung on and launched their 'second phase' in 2022, using what tiny amount of money was left in the club account to hire an online marketing specialist to get their name out to the Perth public. Nowadays, Perth Irish have more than 100 registered adult players between two men's and one women's teams, as well as around 45 junior players. Premier Grade is the highest level of club rugby in Western Australia and Perth Irish aren't at those lofty heights yet, playing instead in the Championship Grade competition. There is a crop of Irish expats involved in the Premier Grade competition, but Perth Irish have had a few former All-Ireland League players through the club over the past decade. They even welcomed ex-Leinster number eight Leo Auva'a in for a short stint. 'You wouldn't want to be standing in front of him,' says O'Mahony with a laugh. Perth Irish are always keen to let people know that the club isn't just for those with Irish roots. They have even debated whether the name is holding them back a bit, but the message is getting out there. They've had 23 different nationalities play for the club. They currently have four Kenyan players – one of whom is among their leading lights – and they've had English, Scottish, Welsh, Australian, Kiwi, and even Japanese players at different stages. Everyone gets a good Irish welcome. Some of the junior players in Perth Irish. Perth Irish RFC Perth Irish RFC As well as the other rugby clubs in Perth, there is competition from the many other sporting codes. There are two local Australian rules teams in the AFL – both play in Optus Stadium – while cricket, soccer, basketball, netball, and field hockey are all popular. A rugby league club, Perth Bears, are due to join the NRL in 2027. Then you have the Irish competition. The Gaelic Athletic Association of Western Australia is made up of seven football clubs and four hurling teams. So the natives and expats alike have plenty of choice. Perth Irish will be hoping this Lions tour gives rugby union a much-needed boost. And they will welcome any future arrivals from Ireland with a typical céad míle fáilte. 'Perth is not a big city, it's probably no bigger than Cork,' says O'Mahony of living there. 'It's all spread out in the suburbs and it doesn't feel like you're living in a big city. It doesn't feel like a big rat race. 'It's a lot more laid-back, a good beachy vibe, you've got Margaret River down the road. It's a nice way of living. 'I do feel like there's always a preconceived notion of Australia where everybody's reference point is Home & Away, so they think we're surfing before work and at lunchtime and we go down and buy a juice off Alf Stewart and all that carry on. 'But no, we work hard over here. I reckon that the Irish at this stage probably have a better work-life balance than we do over here. 'So you do work hard but when you're off, it's a beautiful place. For nine or 10 months of the year, you don't even need to check the forecast. That makes a difference.' Having the Lions in town this week has made it even more enjoyable.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
British tennis star Katie Boulter hopes £1.9m love nest she shares with Aussie ace will help boost Wimbledon chances
TENNIS star Katie Boulter is counting on home comforts at this year's Wimbledon — by staying with her fiancé at their £1.9million love nest. The 28-year-old was spotted on a stroll with fellow ace 4 Tennis star Katie Boulter is hoping home comforts at this year's Wimbledon — staying with her fiancé at their £1.9million love nest - will help her on-court performance Credit: Getty 4 Katie was seen on a stroll with fellow ace Alex De Minaur near their three-bed cottage this week Credit: TillenDove 4 Katie said: 'Being at home brings a sense of calm that's hard to replicate in hotels, and I think that can really help with focus' Credit: Getty British No2 It is understood Alex, 26, bought the London pad in 2023 and they have been living in it together for some time. A source said: 'Love is very much in the air for "They can only hope to have as much success on the court next week as they've had in their relationship.' READ MORE WIMBLEDON NEWS Katie, from Leicester, hopes sleeping in her own bed improves her chances of success when she and Australian men's No1 Alex start their Wimbledon campaigns next week. Katie told Women's Health: 'Being at home brings a sense of calm that's hard to replicate in hotels, and I think that can really help with focus.' Last year the fan favourite made the second round before Afterwards Katie went on a winning run which saw her break into the world Top 25 for the first time. Most read in Sport She is currently No41. Sydney-born Alex is world ranked No11 and last year reached the Wimbledon quarter finals. A representative for Katie was approached for comment. Meet Alex de Minaur - Spanish-speaking 'honorary Brit' dating Katie Boulter and about to take on Novak Djokovic 4 Last year Katie made the second round before losing to compatriot Harriet Dart Credit: Getty - Contributor
