Charles Oliveira is surprisingly dismissive of the chance of being passed over for the next title shot, as he tries to make sense of the UFC lightweight picture.
Despite Charles Oliveira being scheduled to face Islam Makhachev as late as November 2023, the fan-favorite Brazilian could very well be overtaken by either the winner of Justin Gaethje vs Max Holloway, or even Dustin Poirier following his recent back-and-forth with the champ on social media.
Charles Oliveira takes on lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300
The former lightweight champion will get the opportunity to steal the headlines away from the winner of the BMF title fight between Justin Gaethje vs Max Holloway in just a few weeks at UFC 300, should he defeat rising contender Arman Tsarukyan.
We’ve only seen ‘do Bronx’ once inside the UFC octagon since losing to Islam Makhachev for the 155lb title, albeit a dramatic first-round finish of Beneil Dariush back in June 2023.
Activity is certainly on the side of his opponent, with Tsarukyan riding a three-fight winning streak which also includes a first-round finish of Dariush in his last outing.
Charles Oliveira weighs in on UFC lightweight title picture speculation
With Poirier back in the title picture and the BMF title set to be defended in a few weeks, Islam Makhachev’s next UFC title defense could come against any one of three lightweights – including Charles Oliveira.
Speaking to Drake Riggs via MMA Mania’s YouTube channel, Oliveira shared that he’s “not at all” worried about being eclipsed by either Gaethje or Holloway, given his standing in the UFC rankings:
“I’m not at all [worried], I don’t even think about that – everyone knows that I’m the next one in line so I’m going to be the next one to get the title [shot] and I’m ready for it.”
Oliveira was also dismissive of Dustin Poirier getting the chance to face Makhachev in the summer, given the recent back-and-forth between ‘The Diamond’ and the champion on social media:
“I don’t even think about that to be honest, and this is information that comes from the internet and people talk a lot on the internet – I know that I’m next in line so that’s it.”
The former world champion chose not to give a definitive prediction on the BMF title fight, instead noting that should Holloway give ‘The Highlight’ the chance to land a big overhand, “Geathje will for sure win this fight.”
Why Oliveira is facing Tsarukyan, instead of waiting for title shot
Many fans have also been speculating about why Oliveira would even take a fight against someone like Tsarukyan, instead of waiting around for a title fight to materialize later in the year.
Yet, as Max Holloway himself also recently shared regarding his expected title shot at Ilia Topuria, it’s all about staying active and maintaining momentum:
“I’m employed by Zuffa so I need to accept what they bring to me and that’s what I’m going to do. If I was to wait for the title I would [have] fought only in 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. That’s why I accepted this challenge.”
Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan takes place on the main card of UFC 300.