Latest news with #DoBronx
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Daniel Cormier questions Charles Oliveira making a quick turnaround after UFC 317 KO loss
Daniel Cormier says Charles Oliveira fighting so soon after getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria isn't the best decision. Less than four months after losing his vacant lightweight title fight to Topuria at UFC 317 in June, Oliveira (35-11 MMA, 23-11 UFC) will take on Rafael Fiziev (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 261 headliner in Rio de Janeiro on Oct. 11. The event takes place at Farmasi Arena and streams on ESPN+. "Anytime 'Do Bronx' fights, I get excited. The world gets excited. It's fun. But then you start to digest the idea that Charles Oliveira last month got knocked out bad by Ilia Topuria," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "Everybody likes Charles Oliveira. We all do. "He's a nice guy, he's a tremendous fighter, he has done so many great, fun things. But then you wonder why so soon? That was my thought once I calmed down from the excitement of, oh my goodness, Charles Oliveira is fighting again against Rafael Fiziev. It's going to be a barnburner because both of these guys are great strikers." Cormier pointed to Alexander Volkanovski as an example, and how after getting knocked out by Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, he made a four-month turnaround to defend his featherweight title against Topuria at UFC 298 – where he ended up getting knocked out again. He also used himself as an example, and how he avoided falling into a similar situation when he was an active fighter. "I remember in 2017, I fought Jon Jones," Cormier said. "I got knocked out in Anaheim. I got a fight offer right after, and I just said, 'Nah, I need to let my brain heal. I've got to let my mind settle after going out like that.' I knew that for me, to go back and fight that soon, it would not have gone well. So I waited to make sure that I was healthy, and that my brain was back OK before I stepped back into the octagon."
The Independent
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ilia Topuria obliterates Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 before wild face-off with Paddy Pimblett
Ilia Topuria 's stunning UFC run continued on Saturday, as he knocked Charles Oliveira out cold to become a two-weight champion. In the main event of UFC 317, Topuria, who vacated the featherweight title in February, faced Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt and finished the former champion in round one. After a frantic opening few minutes, in which both men landed in the striking exchanges and demonstrated grappling prowess in other moments, Topuria floored Oliveira with a right cross and left hook, leaving the Brazilian staring up at the lights in Las Vegas. Oliveira, 35, walked onto Topuria's right hand and was seemingly unconscious even before the left hook landed. 'Do Bronx', who held the 155lb title from 2021 until 2022, crumpled to the canvas and was pummeled with one more shot before referee Marc Goddard could step in. Topuria's victory kept the Spanish-Georgian unbeaten and saw him enter a small club of two-weight UFC champions. The 28-year-old knocked out Alexander Volkanovski last February to win the featherweight belt, before doing the same to Max Holloway in October to retain the gold. He then relinquished it this February, eyeing a move up to 155lb. Some fans felt that Topuria's victories over Volkanovski and Holloway were the greatest back-to-back wins ever recorded by a UFC fighter. Volkanovski is seen by some as the best featherweight in UFC history, while Holloway is also a former champion and modern great. And Topuria, who predicted that he would knock out both men, dealt Oliveira the same fate after making a similarly prophetic call. After 'El Matador' collected the lightweight title on Saturday (28 June), his quasi-rival Paddy Pimblett was called into the cage by UFC announcer Joe Rogan. In 2022, 'Paddy The Baddy' and Topuria were involved in an altercation at the fighter hotel ahead of UFC London, with the latter taking exception to seemingly anti-Georgian tweets by the Liverpudlian. 'We have some f*****g p***y [at ringside],' Topuria said in the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. 'Whoever is ready for me, I'm here. I don't think he's gonna accept it, but if he thinks he's ready, come on, you p***y.' 'That was a heavy knockout, I'll give you that,' Pimblett responded after entering the Octagon. 'Respect, but you will never knock me out.' 'You'll get knocked out even before the fight,' Topuria laughed, before appearing to shove Pimblett, who is ranked eighth at lightweight. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja recorded a fourth successful defence of his flyweight title, submitting Kai Kara-France in round two.
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
UFC 317 full fight card and UK times including Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira
Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will go head-to-head later this evening for the vacant lightweight title following Islam Makhachev's decision to briefly ditch the division Ilia Topuria has the opportunity to establish himself as a real legend with a win over former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. The two stars will go head-to-head for the vacant 155lb strap. It comes after Islam Makhachev opted to vacate the title as he looks set to challenge newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year. After a successful stint at featherweight, Topuria will be itching to conquer yet another division. That said, he is fully aware that he faces a tough night at the office. 'Do Bronx' is one of the biggest threats at lightweight and is a former champion in the aforementioned division. The Brazilian comes into the mouthwatering showdown off the back of a dominant decision win over Michael Chandler last November. And so, here is everything you need to know about tonight's fights... Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira - 5am In the main event, Topuria will be looking to make history by becoming a two-division champion. 'El Matador' felt as if the time was right to try his luck in another division after vacating the featherweight title following back-to-back wins over 145lb legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. That said, standing across the cage from him this evening, Oliveira is a seasoned veteran in the promotion and is desperate to become a lightweight champion for the second time in his career. Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-France - 4:30am The first title fight at UFC 317 sees the reigning flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja take on Kai Kara-France in what promises to be an explosive contest in the 125lb division. Since winning the belt against Brandon Moreno in 2023, Pantoja has been unstoppable, picking up wins against Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg and Kai Asakura. However, Kara-France will be looking to cause a real upset on fight night and comes into the clash off a vicious knockout victory over Erceg. Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van - 4am Taking part in his second fight this month, Joshua Van has the perfect opportunity to put himself in title contention with a win over the experienced Brandon Royval. Van, 23, scored an impressive knockout victory over Bruno Gustavo da Silva at UFC 316 and was quick to accept the UFC's call after hearing Manel Kape withdrew from the originally planned dust-up with Royval. Royval is currently riding a two fight winning streak following wins over Tatsuro Taira and Brandon Moreno. Beneil Dariush vs Renato Moicano - 3:30am This fight promises to steal the 'Fight of the Night' award. The pair were due to go head-to-head back in January, but Renato Moicano got the call on late notice to fight for the lightweight title against Islam Makhachev. Despite suffering a quick defeat, Moicano immediately went back to the drawing board and is now aiming to put himself back in title contention. At 36, many are wondering what Beneil Dariush has got left to give the sport. Capable of anything on his day, Dariush has not fought since suffering back-to-back defeats to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan - with his last fight coming nearly two years ago. Payton Talbott vs Felipe Lima - 3am After signing with the promotion following a successful stint on the Contender Series, Payton Talbott was quick to waste no time in establishing himself as a top prospect in the sport following a submission win over Nick Aguirre on his promotional debut. The 26-year-old followed it up with back-to-back knockout wins over Cameron Saaiman and Yanis Ghemmouri. However, he suffered his first defeat as a mixed martial artist in his last fight against the experienced Raoni Barcelos. Looking to get back to winning ways, the youngster faces a tough test in Felipe Lima - who has not lost a fight since tasting defeat on his professional debut. Preliminary card Jack Hermansson vs Gregory Rodrigues - 2:30am Hyder Amil vs Jose Miguel Delgado - 2am Viviane Araujo vs Tracy Cortez - 1:30am Terrance McKinney vs Viacheslav Borshchev - 1am Early prelims Niko Price vs Jacobe Smith - 12:30am
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
UFC 317 UK start time for Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira fight
Ilia Topuria has a golden opportunity to become a two-division world champion when he takes on the dangerous Charles Oliveira later this evening Ilia Topuria will be looking to become a two-division UFC champion later this evening when he takes on Charles Oliveira. The pair will fight for the vacant lightweight title after former king Islam Makhachev left the division for the time being in favour of a move up to welterweight. Topuria posses the power to knock anybody out and comes into the clash off of back-to-back knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. As for the Brazilian, Oliveira will be desperate to become a lightweight champion for a second time. 'Do Bronx' has had to work his way back into title contention - and comes into the mouthwatering dust-up off the back of a dominant decision win over Michael Chandler last November. And so, here is everything you need to know about tonight's fights... What UK time will UFC 317: Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveirastart? Tonight's mouthwatering UFC event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The early prelims are scheduled to get underway at 11pm BST (3pm PT / 5pm CT / 6pm ET), with the prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday). The main card will start at around 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT / 9pm CT / 10pm ET on Saturday). The main event between Topuria and Oliveira will likely take place at around 5am BST on Sunday. The fight should not start later than this but could be brought forward if the prelim fights are completed earlier than expected. How to watch UFC 317: Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira in the UK Tonight's action will be shown live on TNT Sports. Fans will be able to stream the event on the broadcaster's app, while Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live. Full fight card and undercard Main card Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira,Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-FranceBrandon Royval vs Joshua VanBeneil Dariush vs Renato MoicanoPayton Talbott vs Felipe Lima Preliminary card Jack Hermansson vs Gregory RodriguesHyder Amil vs Jose Miguel DelgadoViviane Araujo vs Tracy CortezTerrance McKinney vs Viacheslav Borshchev Early prelims Niko Price vs Jacobe SmithJhonata Diniz vs Alvin HinesChristopher Ewert vs Jackson McVey Quotes Corner Ilia Topuria:"(It would say) I'm the best fighter in the world. It's not about if I'm going to win the belt; I'm going to do it. I'm going to knock him out in the first round ... If you beat legend after legend, you'll eventually become a legend." Charles Oliveira: 'You can say whatever you want to say. I'm gonna continue to have the hunger and I have the faith. I have faith that that's gonna happen. If he thinks he's got firepower, he hasn't seen my firepower. If he thinks he's got jiu-jitsu, he has not seen my jiu-jitsu. Let me tell you something, things are gonna happen. I'm gonna become a champion again.'
Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
UFC star sparks worry with weight cut for title fight - 'Looks like he's dying'
Charles Oliveira is no stranger when it comes to sacrificing a lot to cut the final few pounds and has once again worried fans ahead of his return this weekend Charles Oliveira has sparked concern among UFC fans after footage emerged of his gruelling weight cut ahead of his clash with Ilia Topuria. The Brazilian is looking to become a two-time lightweight champion when he takes on 'El Matador.' Oliveira won the vacant title back in 2021 after knocking out Michael Chandler - and later successfully defended the strap against Dustin Poirier. In 2022, however, he was stripped of the title after failing to make weight for his showdown with Justin Gaethje. Despite winning the fight, Oliveira was unable to claim the title after missing weight. The 35-year-old eventually lost to Islam Makhachev for the vacant title. 'Do Bronx' has only lost once since the defeat to Makhachev and comes into the dust-up with Topuria off the back of a second win over Chandler. Sensationally, despite his recent weight struggles, Oliveira used to compete in the featherweight division. However, towards the back end of his stint at 145lbs, he failed to make weight on several occasions - prompting the eventual return to lightweight in 2017. Ahead of his fight with Topuria, the Brazilian has left fans worried after footage emerged of the star fighter going through a brutal weight cut. Oliveira was surrounded by his team-mates and coaches as he hopes to successfully make the 155lb limit ahead of Friday's official weigh-ins. The footage has gone viral online - with many fans offering their verdict. "Crazy what they have to go through to put on a show for us," one fan wrote. A second posted: "Looks like he's dying," while a third commented: "Looks brutal." A fourth wrote: "Way too early to be cutting all that weight. Cant rehydrate for 24 hrs. That's not good. Not sure why he is doing this so early as opposed to tonight." Another replied: "Bro is going through it." Another user commented: "Weight cut? Would rather say near death experience." There were some fans who called for fighters to compete at their natural weight. "So it's ridiculous to me that fighters have to lose weight to fight in a weight class that they shouldn't be fighting in to begin with. Why don't you just buy it at their weight?" One fan wrote. Another commented: "Dumbest part about MMA, just fight ur everyday walking around weight. Ur a pro athlete so ur in shape all the time. If u weigh say 180, than u can fight from 170-190 its so simple but being 180 everyday to fight at 150 but be 180 at fight time is a waste and bad for the sport." Another fan replied: "Will never understand weight cuts... everyone should fight at their natural weight, it's a lot safer for everyone," while another posted: "The fact that fighters have to put their body's in This much danger to have grown men praying over them as they cut weight, is exactly why weight cutting should not be a thing in MMA." In the build up to their clash, Topuria and Oliveira have crossed paths multiple times. Although 'El Matador' has vowed to knock the Brazilian out in the first round, that did not stop him from paying his respect when the pair met at the sauna during their weight cut. Topuria shared that moment as well as another run-in. "That's how our sport is. It's never personal, everyone's just fighting for their dreams," he said.
