How I think this main event plays out:
Both Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are decorated fighters that have what it takes to win over one-another. Ilia Topuria is a highly skilled boxer, with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Greco-Roman Wrestling. Charles Oliveira, on the other hand, is an extremely dangerous grappler with a Muay Thai striking style. Now, who do I think wins? The answer lies just on the right!
Ultimately, I believe that Topuria has a higher chance of winning. He is the much younger fighter (28), while Oliveira is the older fighter (35). Topuria's aggressive striking, combined with his knockout power, is a threat that I see Oliveira being subjected to. Both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, widely regarded as skilled strikers, were finished by Ilia Topuria on the feet. Volkanovski and Holloway, on paper, have much better striking than Oliveira. Now, does this mean that Oliveira is guaranteed to lose? Of course not.
Oliveira, even in matchups where he was the inferior striker, was able to overpower his opponent with his high-level grappling. Justin Gaethje, a brawler that has finished numerous fighters, was submitted by Oliveira in their matchup. Even Dustin Poirier, who is widely viewed as having some of the best striking ability in the lightweight division, was submitted by Oliveira in a similar manner to Gaethje. While being the underdog, Oliveira proved that he is not be underestimated and proved to the world that he is made from the material of champions.
Although Topuria has a much higher shot at securing a victory on paper, I believe that Oliveira possesses the means to pull off an upset. He has done it before, and he can surely do it again. However, if he fails to do so, then Topuria will secure the win and claim the lightweight title for himself.
Anyways, if you are interested, watch this fight unfold this upcoming Saturday! You will not regret it.
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