Ilia Topuria has been teasing something big, and the MMA community is eager to find out what it is. After renouncing his featherweight belt and officially transitioning to lightweight, speculation has been wild. Dana White has promised an announcement in a few weeks, but until then, fans are forced to piece together the puzzle. And now, thanks to a mysterious tweet from Topuria, Joe Rogan and his crew have found themselves playing detective on the latest JRE Fight Companion. The biggest question on their minds? What could possibly be so unexpected about Topuria’s next move?

Brendan Schaub was the first to bring it up, asking the JRE host for any inside information. “You see Ilia’s tweet? He says it’s something we won’t expect.” For once, Joe Rogan didn’t have anything. “Yeah, I don’t know the news,” he said. But Schaub wouldn’t let it go. “If it was just a top contender fight at 155, that wouldn’t be unexpected. You know what I’m saying?” And that’s when things took a wild turn. Why? Well, that’s because Conor McGregor‘s name came up throughout the talk. Could it be? Conor, the showman, the mayhem merchant—back in the mix for a fight against a surging, undefeated savage like Topuria?

That’s what Brendan Schaub speculated. “That’s crazy,” Rogan laughed. However, when pressed further by Eddie Bravo, he conceded, adding, “He may. He might. I can see him doing it.” Outside the podcast bubble, another man—Charles Oliveira—is keeping an eye on Topuria’s movements. The former champion understands the challenges of moving up in weight, and he has a warning for the Georgian-Spanish fighter. “This is lightweight,” Oliveira stated. “It’s the most difficult division you have ever seen.”

It wasn’t just talk; the fighter from the favelas has been through the fire, and he’s eager to put ‘El Matador’ through it as well. If the UFC doesn’t give the Spanish-Georgian an instant championship chance, Oliveira is more than willing to be the barrier to his lightweight goals. So, what is the “unexpected” step that Ilia Topuria has hinted at? A surprising title shot? A fight with Oliveira? Something unexpected, such as a money fight with Conor McGregor that Joe Rogan just talked about? Right now, it’s just speculation, but one thing is certain: whatever the UFC plans, it will shake up the lightweight division in unexpected ways. But till then, ‘El Matador’ is making sure that he keeps the hype around him alive through a constant war of words. And his recent exchange? The answer to Charles Oliveira’s lightweight warning.

Ilia Topuria fires back at Charles Oliveira after a lightweight threat

Charles Oliveira may have thought he was issuing a veteran’s warning, but Ilia Topuria interpreted it as something else: doubt. And if there’s one thing ‘El Matador’ would not accept, it’s someone disputing his place at the table. When the fighter from the favelas declared that his power and jiu-jitsu would be too much for the Spanish-Georgian, the undefeated fighter answered with the cold, matter-of-fact confidence that only comes from never having tasted defeat.

“Charles, it’s better if you stay quiet,” Ilia Topuria fired back, his words as piercing as the uppercuts he used to decimate the featherweight division. Then, without hesitation, he displayed Oliveira’s record for all to see—ten losses, five by knockout, four by submission, and one by decision. “Charles, it’s better if you stay quiet. You have 10 losses: 5 by knockout, 4 by submission, and 1 by decision.” No exaggeration or embellishment. Just facts. Topuria saw these facts as proof that, while the Brazilian was dangerous, he was also beatable. And Topuria? He was not.

But he wasn’t just speaking to ‘Do Bronx’; he was addressing the entire lightweight division. To Islam Makhachev. To each contender who believed they had a say in what went on next. “You are the contender, while I am the champion, the father of the entire division,” said Ilia Topuria. He did not ask for permission. He did not wait for approval. In his opinion, the division had already changed. It was no longer a question of whether he would rule lightweight, but when. So, what do you think? Will we get to see ‘El Matador’ fight for the title anytime soon? Let us know in the comments.