Charles Oliveira has publicly wished Ilia Topuria luck ahead of UFC Freedom 250, sending a message to his former opponent before the event. The gesture comes as Topuria prepares to compete at the high-profile White House card.
Charles Oliveira extended a public good-luck message to Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC Freedom 250, offering warm words to his former opponent before the high-profile White House card on June 12, 2026.
Oliveira, known as "Do Bronxs," brings one of the sport's most decorated resumes to his position as the number-three ranked lightweight in the world. The 36-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, carries a 37-11-0 professional record and holds the number-11 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. Standing 178 cm tall with a 188 cm reach, he is a constant finishing threat, averaging 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a takedown rate of 2.22 per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy of 54 percent ranks among the sharpest in the division.
Topuria, the man receiving the message, is currently ranked second at lightweight and sits at the very top of the pound-for-pound rankings at number one. The 29-year-old Spaniard, nicknamed "El Matador," holds a 17-1-0 record and competes out of Climent Club. Despite standing just 170 cm with a 175 cm reach, Topuria generates an impressive 4.81 significant strikes landed per minute, making him one of the most prolific offensive fighters in the sport.
The two men share history as former opponents, which gives Oliveira's public gesture an added layer of meaning ahead of a significant event.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world heading into UFC Freedom 250, raising the stakes of his performance considerably
- Oliveira sits just one spot below Topuria in the lightweight rankings, keeping the divisional picture tight at the top
- The public show of respect between former opponents highlights the profile of UFC Freedom 250 as a marquee event on the calendar
