“Ilia will KO both of them” - Fans troll Jean Silva as the fighter proposes to spar with Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 317

The results of UFC 315 have affected the dynamics of the fighters across the different weight categories of UFC. Islam Makhachev announced the vacating of the lightweight title to move up to the welterweight category after Belal Muhammad lost to Jack Della Maddalena. This has placed Ilia Topuria , who vacated the featherweight title long ago, against the top contender of the lightweight division, Charles Oliveira , at UFC 317 . Both fighters will be facing each other for the vacant lightweight title . Amidst all these, Jean Silva , in his recent statement, expressed a desire to spar with Oliveira ahead of the bout.
Jean Silva lists out the benefits of sparring with him before facing Ilia Topuria, claims to imitate the spanish fighter perfectlyThe headline event for UFC 317 has been announced after the shocking yet twisting results of UFC 315. The bout will feature the former UFC featherweight Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira in a head-on clash for the vacant lightweight belt. Topuria absolutely wasted no time in trash-talking his opponent as the bout was announced. The fighter, on X, wrote, “On June 28, another dream will come true. I’ll be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance… I’m just fighting for my dreams. It’s unfortunate that Makhachev ran away. 17-0”.

On June 28, another dream will come true. I’ll be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance… I’m just fighting for my dreams. It’s unfortunate that Makhachev ran away. 17-0 🌹 pic.twitter.com/YSutHz4U2h

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) May 13, 2025

The fighter is pretty confident about bringing his undefeated MMA record from a 16-0 to 17-0. While the trash talk continues, another fighter from the featherweight division put forward a proposal for Oliveira ahead of their fight at the IFW. Jean Silva, who recently defeated Bryce Mitchell after a long series of heated exchanges between the fighters, in an interview with Ag Fight, expressed his willingness to spar with Oliveira ahead of the title bout. The fighter stated, “I’m available, I’m the same size as Topuria. If Charles wants to use me as his sparring partner to do his training camp, I’m here. I know how to imitate Topuria perfectly. I even know his facial expressions”

Jean Silva offers to be Charles Oliveira's sparring partner ahead of his fight against Ilia Topuria 👀

"I’m available, I’m the same size as Topuria. If Charles wants to use me as his sparring partner to do his training camp, I’m here. I know how to imitate Topuria perfectly. I… pic.twitter.com/yMDA7WhWgJ

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 15, 2025

Fans have started reacting to Silva’s offer in a mixed way. One of the users wrote, “I normally don’t like Jean Silva but if he’s working for Charles getting the belt then 100% I’m a fan”

I normally don’t like Jean Silva but if he’s working for Charles getting the belt then 100% I’m a fan

— Abdulrohim M (@Mbdulrohim) May 15, 2025

Another one wrote, “He’s too retarded though, Ilia has genuine fight IQ. This won’t help Charles”

He’s too retarded though, Ilia has genuine fight IQ.

This won’t help Charles

— MyNameIs (@MatsuMtawarira) May 15, 2025

“Illia will KO both of them at the same time.”

Illia will KO both of them at the same time.

— Nobody-GOAT (@nobody_goat_mma) May 15, 2025

Also read: Former UFC champ Holly Holm returns to boxing as the fighter signs with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions

Topuria has been waiting for the lightweight title shot for a really long time now, and the wait is over with the upcoming UFC 317. Oliveira, since his last win against Michael Chandler at UFC 309, has not stepped into the Octagon yet. Both fighters have established their skills and abilities and are looking forward to conquering the belt at the International Fight Week.