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Ilia Topuria's Coach Sends Clear 'I'm 100% Sure' Message to Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated May 1, 2025 12:45 PM ET

The anticipation for Ilia Topuria’s next fight is heating up fast. With his undefeated record intact and his stock skyrocketing, fans and pundits alike are eagerly waiting to see who gets matched up against him next. Recently, comments made by Topuria’s coach have caught the attention of the MMA world. Whether it’s against a reigning champion or another top contender, one thing’s for certain—whoever Topuria fights next, it’s going to be massive.

In a Spanish-language interview with KOlmenero , Topuria’s striking coach sat down and didn’t hold back when discussing how his fighter stacks up against the elite of the lightweight division. When asked about a potential matchup with Islam Makhachev, the coach said, 'I think it could be a great fight with Islam. I don't know how he'd approach it. I don’t know if he'd want to stay standing or go for the takedown right away. I think once he feels Ilia’s hands and realizes he can’t handle them.'

Turning his attention to Charles Oliveira, he acknowledged the former champ's accomplishments but made a firm assessment: 'Charles Oliveira is a great fighter... but looking at their styles, it would be a very difficult fight for Oliveira.' He emphasized Topuria’s own jiu-jitsu and closed with, 'Ilia destroys him standing. I'm 100% sure. I say this with the utmost respect, but I truly don’t see how they could prepare a strategy against us. I see a lot of disadvantages for Oliveira.'

While no official return date has been announced, speculation continues to swirl. Dana White has not announced anything official regarding Topuria's next opponent or date. Some insiders believe Topuria could be back as early as fall 2025, with names like Makhachev or Oliveira being floated as potential opponents.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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