Charles Oliveira is confident on where he stands in the lightweight division.
The former UFC Lightweight Champion is still at the top of the heap, but this time as a contender. Oliveira was stripped of his undisputed title at UFC 274 after missing championship weight against Justin Gaethje, since then it’s been a long road to reclaim what was once his.
Oliveira’s been gunning for a rematch with Islam Makhachev after losing in their first encounter for the vacant strap at UFC 280. ‘Do Bronx’ earned the opportunity after dismantling Beneil Dariush, but it slipped through his fingers as Oliveira was forced to withdraw from their title fight at UFC 294 due to a cut.
‘Why I Accepted This Challenge’ vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Coming off the cancellation, Oliveira has been pitted to fight Arman Tsarukyan in a potential title eliminator. Although, there’s no guarantee if the winner will get the next title shot as Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway are in a similar spot at UFC 300.
Oliveira explains why he took this fight with Tsarukyan in the first place, instead of sitting around for the champ Makhachev.
“I’m employed by [UFC], so I need to accept what they bring to me and that’s what I’m gonna do,” Oliveira told MMA Mania. “If I was supposed to wait for the title, I would fight only the end of the year, and I don’t like to wait too much to fight. I would be like waiting for one year almost. So, that’s why I accepted this challenge.”
Oliveira Weighs In On Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway
The Brazilian isn’t losing any sleep when it comes to the BMF title fight between Gaethje and Holloway. It’d be a fresh new challenge for Makhachev, who hasn’t fought either man. Regardless, Oliveira rests assured that he’s the next title challenger at 155lbs.
“Not at all. I don’t even think about that,” Oliveira said, when asked if he was worried that Gaethje or Holloway would surpass him in the title conversation. “Everyone knows that I’m the next one in the line. So, I’m gonna be the next one to to get the title, and I’m ready for it.”
“Holloway is a really nice guy. He moves a lot. He has a a type of game that he moves a lot, but Gaethje also has a strong hand. If Holloway gives opportunity, Gaethje for sure will win this this fight, but both are very good.”
‘I’m The Next In The Line,’ Not Dustin Poirier
With the best in the world booked, Islam Makhachev is contemplating a fight with #3-ranked Dustin Poirier as ‘The Diamond’ shined in his last performance against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. The lightweights have yet to cross paths in their UFC tenure, however that could soon change as Makhachev and Poirier have floated a matchup in June.
Charles Oliveira isn’t putting much stock into the potential title fight between former foes.
“I don’t even think about that, to be honest. This is information that comes from the Internet and people talks a lot in the Internet. I’m not worried about that. I know that I’m the next in the line, so that’s it,” Oliveira said of Makhachev vs. Poirier.
We’ll see exactly how the lightweight title picture plays out at UFC 300 on Apr. 13.
