Outside Source
This weekend Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria will vie for the vacant lightweight belt in the main event of UFC 317 in Las Vegas. After the impressive way Ilia beat two featherweight legends in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, it is understandable that he serves as a significant betting favorite over the ex-lightweight champ. Even ever-patriotic Brazilians have come to understand Topuria’s favoritism. Sherdog spoke with 10 Brazilian coaches, fighters and analysts, who pointed out ways for “Do Bronxs” to shock the world and end Topuria’s unbeaten run on Saturday.
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Alexandre Pantoja, UFC flyweight champion: “Charles likes to go to real fights. But in this fight, it’s going to be dangerous to do so. Topuria already proved his knockout power. ‘Durinho’ [Gilbert Burns] saw [Topuria] training and said he is for real. I think the best way [for] Charles would be grapple and dominate him like an anaconda and put him to sleep.”
Mauricio Ruffy, UFC lightweight: “One of Charles’ strongest points is his beginning, and I think he cannot change his style because of Topuria’s KO power. Also, we have to see how Topuria [adapts] to the new division. It’s not easy to gain muscle and keep the same speed, same timing and cardio. We´ve seen him getting tired [in the past].”
Eduardo Dantas, former Bellator MMA champ and Combate commentator: “We saw an interview of Charles yesterday where he said he will not change his game; he will march forward. Charles is 13 cm taller, if he can control the distance fighting from middle to long range, I think he can hurt Topuria, but if he allows Topuria to short distance the Spanish [fighter will] certainly use his deadly combos to decide the fight.”
Vitor Miranda, former UFC fighter and UFC Fight Pass commentator: “[In] his weight division [of featherweight], Topuria always backed up all his opponents, sooner or later he connected [with] his good hands. Charles will not play this game. He will move forward, and once he has the range advantage, if he uses front kicks, jabs and straight punches, he can control the distance. Also, I think Charles should attempt takedowns. Test him in all aspects and make him worry also about his defense.”
Augusto Mendes, ex-UFC fighter and BJJ coach of Sean O’Malley: “I think the ground is the best way for Charles [to win], once he gets hit frequently standing up. Topuria must have raised his knockout power in the new division. The best way for Charles is repeat the same tactics he used against Dustin Poirier.”
Jonas Bilharinho, ex-Bellator fighter and former Jungle FC champion: “Ilia has volume, precision and power and never backs up. I’m 100% convinced that he can hit Charles with his strong hand, but unlike Gaethje, Poirier and Chandler, he will not respect Charles in the ground.”
Andre Pederneiras, Nova Uniao head coach: “I see Ilia Topuria very dangerous [standing] up, with an excellent boxing technique. He is pretty well-rounded, being able to take [someone] down [and] defend throws, but his ground level has never been tested by a high-level grappler. Charles has the size advantage; Ilia has more KO power. I see [it] pretty much 50-50.”
Marcus “Conan” Silveira, American Top Team head coach: “I don’t think it was a good idea from Topuria’s team to go up to the lightweight division now. I think he should work longer on his legacy in the featherweight division, and defend his title more. Lightweight is another reality, and I believe Charles will control the fight and submit Ilia.”
Cristiano Marcello, CM System head coach: “If I were his coach, I would tell [Oliveira] to work on his longer range using frontal kicks, jabs [and] straight punches to avoid [his] opponent [cutting angles] to attack. And of course, try to get Topuria on the ground, where he [has] never [been] tested by a high-level black belt like Charles.”
Carlos Barreto, former UFC fighter and UFC Fight Pass commentator: “The pivotal point for Charles is to change his game plan of his previous fights. He cannot get hit like he was in his last fights against Topuria. If Charles marches forward, the speed and knockout power of Topuria may decide the fight. Charles must use his range to control the distance with trips and straight punches and, if possible, take Topuria to the cage using Ashi judo throws like Kouchi Gare and Ouchi Gari to take Topuria down. Not wrestling throws that Topuria defends well. But once Charles can get Topuria on the ground, he has a superior game and can even get a submission.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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