It’s official! Topuria will fight Oliveira for the lightweight title

The wait is over, and Dana White has made it official. After months of uncertainty, the UFC CEO has announced that Ilia Topuria will face Charles Oliveira on June 28 at UFC 317 in Las Vegas. At stake: the lightweight belt left vacant by Islam Makhachev, who is moving up to welterweight.

Belal Muhammad’s loss last weekend at UFC 315 was the turning point. Makhachev was the reason everything had been on hold until just a few days ago. The Russian had plans to move up to welterweight, but he didn’t want to make the move while his friend Belal was still champion of the division. Once the Palestinian fighter lost by decision to Jack Della Maddalena, the Dagestani star made up his mind.

A lot of scenarios were considered. If Belal had won, Islam was expected to defend his belt against Topuria—that was the fight everyone wanted, the fight of the decade. But it didn’t happen. Another option on the table was that if the Russian moved up to welterweight, he’d vacate the title so the Spanish-Georgian and Charles Oliveira could fight for it.“It’s time to become double champ,” Makhachev posted on social media after his friend’s loss, insisting he wouldn’t give up his crown.

Watch: Ilia Topuria, 100-meter sprints Usain Bolt-style: “Wait, wasn’t it 10...?”

But in the end, he did. Makhachev is moving up to welterweight to face Jack Della Maddalena, Dana revealed before dropping the bombshell. This fight sells itself. Oliveira is a UFC legend, former lightweight champ, and a fan favorite who’s faced the biggest names in the sport. Topuria, on the other hand, comes off back-to-back knockouts over two legends who had never been stopped before—Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway—and is reigning featherweight champion. It’s a fight everyone wants to see, even without the undisputed belt on the line.

At the same event, the co-main will also feature another title bout. Alexandre Pantoja will defend his flyweight belt against Kai Kara-France in another blockbuster fight.

In addition, White announced that Dricus du Plessis will put his middleweight title on the line against Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC is bringing out all the big guns.

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