Charles Oliveira was knocked unconscious for the first time in his MMA career by Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, describing it as a new and disorienting experience, and plans to return to fighting later in the year despite the setback.
Charles Oliveira faced a shocking moment in his MMA career when he was knocked out for the first time by Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. Reflecting on the fight, Oliveira admitted that Topuria hit him harder than anyone else in his previous 46 bouts.
“I’ve never been knocked out before,” Oliveira shared with Ag. Fight. He recounted the unfamiliar sensation of being unconscious, a stark contrast to past knockdowns and TKOs.
“He’s definitely the one who hit me the hardest,” Oliveira continued, comparing Topuria’s power to that of other formidable opponents like Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. Despite being hit by these tough fighters, Topuria’s impact was unparalleled.
After the fight, Oliveira found himself in a haze, struggling to recall what had transpired. “I asked many times what had happened, where I was,” he said, describing the unsettling experience of being comforted by his team and family.
The disappointment lingered not just from the knockout but from failing to execute his planned strategy. Oliveira had intended to use kicks to keep Topuria at bay but ended up falling into his opponent’s traps.
“Everything I trained we didn’t do in the fight,” Oliveira lamented. The unpredictability of MMA struck again, leaving him to acknowledge Topuria’s superior performance and championship win.
Despite the setback, Oliveira remains optimistic about his future in the UFC. He believes with a few wins against the right opponents, he can re-enter the title conversation.
Looking ahead, Oliveira plans to take some time for seminars before resuming training. He aims to return to the octagon in late 2025, eager to put on an impressive fight later this year.