Ilia Topuria Could Struggle in UFC 317 Title Fight, Says Ranked Lightweight originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
One UFC lightweight fan favorite wonders how Ilia Topuria (16-0) will handle a change in weight class.
Topuria is set to face Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. Islam Makhachev is the current 155-pound titleholder, but he will relinquish the gold once Topuria vs. Oliveira begins at UFC 317 on June 28.
“El Matador” had success at 145 pounds, capturing UFC gold for the first time. He also defeated the likes of Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. Despite his accomplishments, some believe that Topuria is entering a new world in the lightweight division.
Tough Task for Ilia Topuria?
During an interview with Athlon Sports, Rafael Fiziev admitted he wouldn’t be surprised if Topuria has some difficulty against Oliveira.
“I don’t like predictions, but this fight, Charles, he’s a strong guy, he’s a former champion,” Fiziev said. “How many bonuses he’s had? He’s a bonus machine. He always has good fights, but Ilia Topuria is a former featherweight champion. Featherweight is not lightweight. Lightweight is a bit different.
“We have different power. He has good boxing, strong hands, mentally strong, wrestling’s also good, but I think it’s a little hard to him because new weight division, and now our division is dangerous. I cannot say anything. For me, it’s 50-50.”
Odd Man Out
Justin Gaethje has publicly expressed frustration over not being featured in the vacant lightweight title fight. Fiziev believes “The Highlight” is simply a victim of timing.
“Yeah, he deserves it for sure,” Fiziev said. “He’s just unlucky because it happens at this moment. Topuria wants to change weight, and Charles also deserves that. Justin, I think he’s just unlucky.”
Full Fight Camp This Time
On Saturday, Fiziev will share the cage with Ignacio Bahamondes. The fight will serve as the co-main event of UFC Baku. In his previous bout, Fiziev was defeated by Gaethje in a short-notice rematch that earned both men “Fight of the Night” honors once again. While Gaethje had the benefit of a full fight camp, Fiziev did not.
“I felt great,” Fiziev said. “I took the risk about short notice because it’s only one week, no camp, and then worry about that, but during the fight I felt great. Mentally, everything great. Just physically, because I don’t have camp, not too much power and stamina, but mentally I felt great.”
Fiziev is happy to be entering his second fight in 2025 after missing all of last year due to an injury.
“That’s how I want my career going,” Fiziev said. “All of my career in the UFC, I feel like I don’t fight enough. I want to fight more. I want to fight three, four [times in a year].”
Respect for Ignacio Bahamondes
Fiziev figures to be in for a competitive scrap against Bahamondes, who enters the bout on a three-fight winning streak. “Ataman” respects the surging fighter from Chile for stepping up to face him when others wouldn’t.
“He’s a good guy,” Fiziev said. “I respect his choice because it’s not easy to find an opponent for me because many people say, ‘No, this, this, this.’ Because I cannot find an opponent, I don’t fight a long time in the UFC. Before the Justin fight and before when I fight with Bobby Green, I cannot find opponent long time.
“Bahamondes said yes, and I respect his choice because he has to come to my home. This guy from Chile, he has balls. I have to meet him here and show him how we love the guests.”
Homecoming
UFC Baku is a special event for Fiziev. He will be fighting at home, and he isn’t feeling any nerves ahead of fight night.
“It means a lot because I fight in front of my people in my homeland,” Fiziev said. “All of my family, my friends that come to watch. I like it so much. Zero pressure, I’m just excited. This week, I want to fight so much. Yeah, I was so happy when I have this news. My father’s going to come with me in the corner, so that’s perfect.”
Fiziev has one goal entering UFC Baku, and that is to have his hand raised in front of his family, friends, and fans.
A win is a win, always,” Fiziev said. “A loss is a loss always. Everybody wants to win, and everybody don’t want a loss. We don’t want a loss. My goal is to win always. Every time when I step into the cage, I want to win. I go in, and I believe in my power. So, I want to win in front of my people here.”
Related: UFC Baku: Khalil Rountree Clears the Air on Perceived Beef With Jamahal Hill
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.