The stage is set for UFC 317, and two lightweight titans are ready to clash in the main event. After vacating the lightweight gold, following the results of UFC 315 where Jack Della Maddalena beat Belal Muhammad to become the new welterweight champion of the world, Islam Makhachev, with no friendships to cross over, challenged the Aussie for the throne. This move opened the gate for Ilia Topuria to finally get a shot at the lightweight gold against a seasoned former lightweight champion himself, in Charles Oliveira.

The major fear around the fan-favorite Oliveira heading into this fight is his vulnerability to being knocked down easily, as it has been evident in his fights, whether he has won or lost. And Ilia Topuria’s team believes this will be the key behind ‘El Matador’s crowning at the UFC 317 main event. The intentions are clear, as Topuria’s striking coach Javi Climent revealed: “Honestly, I think he ‘kills’ Charles Oliveira on the feet. Ilia’s speed, power, and precision will break him down. It’s clear that Ilia has grown so much, and he’s the future, not Charles.”

But is that all to the fight? If you ask Josh Thomson, certainly not. While talking about Ilia Topuria’s chances against Oliveira, Thomson reminded us of Ilia’s fight against Bryce Mitchell, where the ‘El Matador’ was taken down and his back was in a vulnerable position. However, he escaped safely and secured the win. The ex-UFC lightweight contender emphasized that he won’t be this lucky against Charles.

Thomson said, “He can kick the head really well, you know he can jump on the gilly extremely well. I mean I want you guys to remember, Ilia lost a takedown and almost gave his back up or was giving up his back to Bryce Mitchell. There’s different levels, you know, I mean Bryce Mitchell was a high school wrestler, Charles Oliveira never was really a wrestler, but he’s come a long way. He’s able to take down, you know um a division one wrestler in Missouri. You know and Michael Chandler, I know Michael’s older, Michael’s washed a little bit you know, he’s getting a little bit up he’s up there in age obviously. Not having much success but, I’m not ready to count Charles Oliveira out.”

So, how does the MMA community feel about this fight? In a recent viral video of ‘Do Bronxs’, posted on X, that read, “Charles Oliveira’s striking is on-point,” he can be seen practicing his striking while wearing headgear and practicing some head movement in the process. Knowing the power of ‘El Matador’, fans had only a single demand from Oliveira.

In the video, Oliveira’s striking is on display. And let us be the first to tell you if you don’t know, the fourth-degree BJJ black belt is a clinical striker. He has accuracy, power, and the timing to shock his opponents enough to turn the tables and win the fight. However, in these exchanges, he is often vulnerable to clean shots as well. ‘Do Bronxs’ isn’t famous for his head movement, and the fans fear this will be his end against Topuria.

“Work on head movement please!”-  Fans demand Charles Oliveira to improve his head movement before planning to strike against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317

On one side, we can call it bias. Topuria brutally knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, so underestimating Charles seems justified. However, on the other hand, for a fan favorite like Oliveira, it’s only a concern. Even though the ambitions of Ilia are on the line after he vacated his 145-pound title, fans of ‘Do Bronxs’ haven’t had enough of his era, indeed, it was short-lived. And his head movement had a lot to do with it.

One fan carrying this concern, commented: “More head movement please.” And one fan adding that he cannot see Oliveira being finished again commented, “Please for the love of god I can’t take Charles getting knocked out.” Their voice is clear. They acknowledge Ilia Topuria‘s power and also acknowledge Charles Oliveira‘s vulnerability. However, some took the hilarious route with this issue as well, one fan commented, “4. 0 head movement but he’s looking sharp haha.”

The optimists were present too, and with the same concern, a fan commented, “Just needs a bit of head movement then the rose will die.” And his insight is valid. Charles lacks nothing that Topuria can surprise him with, its just his head movement that always gets in the way of his glory. One fan is predicting an ominous outcome for ‘Do Bronxs. ‘ The fan predicted Topuria’s victory as he commented: “Someone said 17:0.”

So, what will happen at UFC 317? Will Ilia Topuria’s undefeated streak continue? Or will he fall short to the seasoned lightweight warrior Charles Oliveira? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.