A year after his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, Charles Oliveira was positioned to headline UFC 294 (October 2023), taking on the lightweight champion. However, just days before the rematch, the Brazilian suffered a nasty laceration during his final sparring session. He pulled out.
Oliveira then fought for the spot of the #1 lightweight contender in 2024, where he endured a close decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. However, after a rematch win over Michael Chandler last October, Oliveira finally has what he wants — a clear path to the 155 lbs title in 2025.
Oliveira is ready to take on Makhachev. He shares a distinct rivalry with the Dagestani champion whom he lost to in 2022. In that vacant lightweight title fight, the Brazilian saw his 11-fight run halted.
With the uncertainty over a pairing of Makhachev and unbeaten featherweight king Ilia Topuria, Oliveira made a suggestion. Boasting his readiness to fight the Russian this summer, he has claimed that UFC 317 in June should provide the ideal date for their long-anticipated rematch.
“I really want — I’m number one [sic],” Oliveira told UFC veteran Chael Sonnen through his translator. “And I really wanna fight for the title. That’s what’s fair. And I’m ready for him [Makhachev] on the [International] Fight Week [card].”
Oliveira added that Topuria’s entry into the picture has made the lightweight title contention “complicated”.
“Topuria vacates his belt to come fight for… His intention is to fight for our title right now, right? But, hey, he’s new at this weight class. I’m the number one. We all know the number one is supposed to be the next contender. So, I’m ready,” Oliveira reiterated.
“The only fight that makes sense is me versus Islam, you know? Nobody else’s makes sense at the moment“, the former lightweight champion added with conviction.
In the meantime, Topuria has accused Oliveira of running away from a fight with him.
Topuria claims lightweights are “scared” of him
It’s not just Oliveira who has been branded ‘chicken’ by Topuria. It’s Makhachev as well. The featherweight belt he vacated will have a new owner at UFC 315 in April. But Topuria has yet to book his expected lightweight entry bout.
But it’s not for want of trying as far as he claims. According to the Spaniard, despite his best intentions, both Oliveira and Makhachev are “scared” to tangle with him.
“All my training is focused on Islam or Charles. Because I don’t see any other opponents,” Topuria told Alvaro Colmenero.
“Neither of them seems to dare [to fight me]… These are the symptoms of fear, we all know that, but it’s normal. I’d be scared too,” added the former 145 lb champ.
But Oliveira did not take those barbs lying down and hit back at the Spaniard in a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“It’s been 15 years in the UFC, respecting everybody... He’s coming from [being] a champion of featherweight division, and now trying to come up and show this. But I have firepower in my wrists… He’s just trying to dig out a fight. He’s saying a lot of crap,” Oliveira said.
“I really respect his fights, the way he’s come up and everything, but he’s being very disrespectful now and is saying a lot of things that he shouldn’t,” he added.
It would be interesting to see whether Oliveira will up his rivalry with Topuria anytime soon. It would be as intense as Oliveira vs. Makhachev. The Brazilian has a lot to look forward to, and his fans can’t wait for such matchups either.
