00:00He holds the record for the most submissions in UFC history with 16.
00:05Here is the former UFC lightweight champion, Charles Dubronx Olivera.
00:16His opponent, one of the biggest stars in the sport today, looking to add a second belt to his collection.
00:24Coming off knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovsky and Max Holloway.
00:28Representing the countries of Spain and Georgia.
00:33Introducing the former UFC featherweight champion of the world, Ilya, the Matador Topuria.
00:45What's up everybody? Thanks for coming out today.
00:49We've got the first question.
00:52Wanted to start with Ilya, please.
00:55Ilya, I just wanted to ask you about this fan reaction today, right?
00:58There's been a lot of discussion about you fighting fan favorites.
01:01You have to hear boos when you walk out.
01:04Are you hoping that this is the fight where people start to cheer for you?
01:06Or do you enjoy kind of playing the villain a little bit?
01:09I used to it, to be honest.
01:11The only thing I wish that I'm going to enjoy the fight on Saturday night.
01:17That's all.
01:18Ilya, how about for you?
01:20I mean, if you get that first round finish.
01:21So Charles, what does that mean for your legacy?
01:23What statement is this in?
01:24He wants to win.
01:26I would say that's a very virtual thinking.
01:33But...
01:33Just one quick one for Dana.
01:44Dana, I know there's logistical issues potentially withholding an event in Spain.
01:48But if Ilya wins, you've got an undefeated two-division champion.
01:52How much of a personal goal does it become for you to take the UFC to Spain?
01:56Yeah, I mean, we want to go to Spain anyway.
01:58We've been trying to go there since COVID.
02:02Yeah, as soon as possible, we will get there.
02:05If you win the belt on Saturday, you'll become two-way UFC champion in just nine fights.
02:11What would that say about you if you're able to accomplish that in such a short amount of time?
02:18That I'm the best.
02:21I'm the best fighter in the world.
02:23And it's not that if I'm going to win the belt, I'm going to do it.
02:28I'm going to knock him out in the first round.
02:30They always used to be like this.
02:32But after the fight, you know what's happened.
02:35Ilya, Khabib recently said that he wanted you to face Charles before fighting Islam.
02:41He believes you beat Charles.
02:43What did you make of Khabib's comments?
02:45And why do you think he wanted you to fight Charles before fighting Islam?
02:50Honestly, I don't care what he wants.
02:55Now, you've knocked out Volkanovski.
02:58You've knocked out Max Holloway.
03:00You said you're going to knock out Charles in the first round.
03:02Do you enjoy knocking out these legends of the sport?
03:05Of course, because if you beat legends after legends, you'll eventually become a legend, like Dana said.
03:15And one for...
03:16Marab is here.
03:18Marab won his title a couple weeks ago.
03:20What's a parade going to look like in Georgia if you win on Saturday night?
03:24What you said?
03:25Repeat that question, please.
03:26Marab is here and he won his title fight two weeks ago.
03:29What's a parade going to look like in Georgia if you win on Saturday night?
03:34I don't know.
03:36They are going to go crazy like always.
03:38After defeating Charles and winning the lightweight belt, do you think you should become the undisputed, pound for pound, number one fighter in the UFC?
03:48I don't know.
03:49I don't know.
03:50I don't like to answer those kind of questions, to be honest.
03:54Whatever they decide to put me, I will be okay.
03:57I don't care about those rankings, to be honest.
04:01My question's for Ilya.
04:03Ilya, you're known for beating legends.
04:05Come Saturday night, you beat Charles.
04:07Who will be your next victim?
04:09Next one.
04:10I don't know.
04:11Who's going to be the next one, Dana?
04:14But we'll figure that out after Saturday.
04:17Whoever.
04:18Go ahead, sir.
04:19Question for Ilya here, to your left.
04:22Given Charles is a man standing in the sport, all the accolades he has, what does a win over him do for your resume and your bid to become the greatest mixed martial arts of all time?
04:31It always means a lot to bid those kind of fighters.
04:35You know what I mean?
04:35He's a legend in the sport, so it means a lot for my professional career.
04:40So all the respect in the world for Charles, but I'm doing my job.
04:45The former UFC lightweight champion, Islam Mahachev, was critical of you this week.
04:51He went on an interview and he said...
04:52We don't give a fuck about him, so save that question.
04:56Do you think the extra 10 pounds are going to help you in this fight?
05:03Even with less 10 extra pounds, I will beat him.
05:07Ilya, you have superstars in the past like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, who pushed the sport even bigger.
05:15Do you feel like winning a second belt will allow you to be the next superstar to grow the UFC even further?
