Charles Oliveira is actively seeking a rematch with Islam Makhachev for UFC 317 during International Fight Week, while also considering a backup plan to fight Max Holloway, amidst a social media feud with Ilia Topuria.
Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria had quite the exchange over the weekend, trading barbs through interviews and social media. “Do Bronx” is crystal clear about his next move.
Oliveira took to Instagram, calling out UFC bigwigs Dana White, Sean Shelby, and Hunter Campbell. He wants a rematch with Islam Makhachev—badly.
“I wanna fight on International Fight Week,” he declared, eyeing UFC 317 in Las Vegas on June 28. “Makhachev wants it too. Dana, Sean Shelby, Hunter, let’s make it happen. I really want this fight.”
Oliveira’s history with Makhachev? Not so rosy. He lost by submission in October 2022 for the vacant belt. Since then, he’s been 2-1, squeezing a close decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan between wins over Beneil Dariush and Michael Chandler.
Meanwhile, Makhachev’s been on a tear—four straight wins since that fateful night with Oliveira. His victims include Alexander Volkanovski (twice!), Dustin Poirier, and a last-minute Renato Moicano.
“This will definitely be a great war,” Oliveira insisted. “Dana, UFC, Sean, Hunter, let’s make it happen. Call me.”
But what if the rematch doesn’t materialize? Oliveira’s got a Plan B: a rematch with Max Holloway for the BMF belt. Not keen on giving Topuria a shot though.
Topuria wasn’t shy either, firing back at Oliveira on social media. “Charles, it’s better if you stay quiet,” he tweeted. “You have 10 losses: 5 by knockout, 4 by submission, and 1 by decision.”
In response to all the chatter? Oliveira shrugged it off in his video message. “UFC and MMA have a lot of guys that talk too much,” he said. “I can talk about UFC history… Record of bonuses, of submissions. A guy that breaks records? That’s me.”