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Undefeated Ilia Topuria (16-0) vacated his featherweight title to move up. The lightweight belt is vacant, but Topuria is favored to claim it next.
El Matador’s Time
UFC 317 goes later this week (June 28th) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and there’s a title on the line. Actually, it’s a vacant title, courtesy of Islam Makhachev, who abandoned his lightweight belt in order to climb the ladder to the welterweights. Thus, twenty-eight-year-old Georgian-Spanish (by way of Germany) Ilia Topuria puts his undefeated (16-0) record on the line against the perpetually busy Charles Oliveria (35-10-0, 1 no contest).
Ironic in the sense that Topuria surrendered his featherweight belt, ostensibly to take a shot at Makhachev’s lightweight crown.
Such was the merry-go-round of UFC titlists, which is why it’s Topuria-Oliveira as the featured bout in Vegas. As of this writing, a few days ahead of the event, UFC fight odds have Topuria an overwhelming -525 favorite, Oliveira at +386.
Over/under on the scheduled five-round affair is just 1½ rounds.
What’s also ironic is the fact that this June 28th date coincides with the Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. UFC boss Dana White claimed he wasn’t aware of the conflict, but it’s sure to divide at least some of the attention among fight fans.
Since the focus of this missive is Topiuria and his quest to become champ in a second division, here’s a primer on ‘El Matador,’ certainly a popular figure in both UFC cable or PPV fights…
Is Ilia Topuria Actually Spanish?
As was mentioned, Ilia Topuria's UFC fight ledger is 16 wins (six by knockouts) and no losses. His last appearance came at UFC 308 this past October, when he defended his then-featherweight title by disposing of Max Holloway (third round) in the United Arab Emirates
The Ilia Topuria story is a long and winding road indeed. Courtesy of the internet, he was born in Germany to parents of Georgian descent as they fled persecution. The family then moved to Georgia (country, not state), then were on the move again when the Russians invaded Georgia.
Topuria was 15 when the family moved to Spain, which is where he began his mixed martial arts career. He’s been well-traveled (though not by choice), honing his craft along the way.
What Is Ilia Topuria’s Record in the UFC?
Ilia Topuria is putting a perfect 16-0 record on the line against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, the vacant lightweight title on the line. It’s the main event on the card, with Topuria installed as the prohibitive favorite in UFC fights betting odds.
Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on UFC Fights Betting Lines?
While UFC news is the place to see who’s fighting whom, BetUS is always the go-to site to find the latest UFC Fights odds ahead of every numbered event, as well as any Fight Night program.
UFC 317, one of the themes of this story, is just a few days away in Vegas. Ilia Topuria is a -525 UFC fights betting odds choice over Charles Oliveira (+386) to win the vacant lightweight title. There are a number of odds and props around the entire UFC 317 card, along with some ‘future’ odds leading to UFC 318 (July in New Orleans) and UFC 319 (August in Chicago).
Remember any and all odds are fluid, thus subject to change.
Any Final Thoughts?
Discussion of the UFC lightweight division has certainly included Islam Makhachev vacating his title to join the ‘welterweight club.’ UFC rumors strongly suggest that the vacancy is about to be filled by Ilia Topuria in the next few days at UFC 317.
Those who wager on UFC would be wise to bookmark BetUS to find the latest odds.
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