Charles Oliveira isn’t worried about the hype surrounding Ilia Topuria or the warnings “El Matador” is sending his way over social media.
That’s because “Do Bronx” went on one of the best runs in Lightweight history from 2018 to 2022, winning 11 times in a row to become UFC’s undisputed 155-pound champion. The last three years have been tough, however, dropping the belt to Islam Makhachev (relive that here) and withdrawing from the rematch with a last-minute injury. All told, Oliveira is 2-2 over his last four appearances, but he hasn’t been fighting cans, either.
The good news? His mindset is still the same as when he was on that legendary run.
In a new interview with Full Violence, Oliveira discussed his upcoming showdown with Topuria for the promotion’s vacant 155-pound title at UFC 317 on June 29, 2025.
“Man, we’ve been in this for 15 years, right?” he said of Topuria’s trash talk. “I’ve seen a lot of these guys who say a lot of things: that I’m going to give up, that I’m going to lose, that Ilia is going to knock me out and finish me. And then when the time comes, they don’t do anything. Like I said, I respect all of them. This guy is the one I respect the most, but he says he has dreams? I also have dreams, I have promises, so I’m going to pursue that all the time. Absolutely.
“I came from the favelas, just a room in the kitchen, a bathroom for six people,” he continued. “Being able to have what I have today, being able to live what I live today is magical. Like, this isn’t for many people, right? It’s for a few people, people who dedicated themselves. When I started going to Sao Paulo, I went by bus in pursuit of a dream. I left everything here to go to Sao Paulo to pursue my dream to be able to become a champion, to make history.”
Bom dia
Good morning
おはよう
Buenos dias
Günaydın
Bonjour
早上好
Guten Morgen
доброе утроCortesy of google translator pic.twitter.com/3jqwomAcgW
— Charles ‘DoBronxs’ Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) February 13, 2025
“So if you stop and look back at everything I’ve lived in my life, my story isn’t just a made up story, you know?” Oliveira continued. “These guys say, ‘Oh, I did this, I did that,’ but if you take everything we’ve said and ask thousands of people, it’s the same. Today, I have everything I have, but I haven’t changed a thing. I’m the same person training, the same guy who walks barefoot in the favela, the same guy who goes to fight anyone. I haven’t changed a thing.
“What these guys say on the internet and what they’re going to try doing?” Oliveira concluded. “None of them will be able to touch me after what life has hit me with.”
To checkout the latest UFC 317 fight card and rumors click here.
