Charles Oliveira suffered a split decision loss for the first time in his career this past Saturday, as Arman Tsarukyan handed him his second loss in three fights.
Charles Oliveira has been the epitome of hunger and having to consistently bounce back from setbacks for as long as I can remember. When he finally won the UFC lightweight title back in 2021, he became a megastar.
His fascinating fight style and ability to give fans what they want, every single time, saw him become one of the UFC’s biggest active draws.
His fight with Arman Tsarukyan was a number-one contender fight and was a chance for him to earn a rematch with Islam Makhachev. Unfortunately, though, he just couldn’t get over the hump.
Is Oliveira’s time at the top of the division coming to an end?
At 34 years old, he hasn’t exactly got time on his side when it comes to rebuilding a streak that will earn him another title shot. The UFC’s lightweight division is notoriously the most stacked in the sport, and there are no favorable matchups.
Having said that, it isn’t the most youthful of divisions when you look at the top five. Arman Tsarukyan is the only fighter in the top five who is yet to hit his dreaded 30s.
Because of Oliveira’s sheer star power, it will likely only take him two big wins in a row to realize another fight for the 155lb strap.
I don’t have it in me to count out ‘Do Bronx’. He has shown time and time again that he has the mindset and the capability to bounce back from adversity. His spell from 2015-2017 is one of the reasons why you just cannot write him off.
After going 2-4 in his six fights over the two-year span, he then went on to accumulate an 11-fight win streak, which ended with him finally getting the gold belt wrapped around his waist.
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I’m not saying that I think he could go on another magnificent streak, but he doesn’t have to because of the star he has become.
What could be next for Charles Oliveira following the UFC 300 loss?
There are a few options in the top 10 at 155lbs that could make sense for the Brazilian next.
Personally, my top pick would be a fight against Rafael Fiziev next. ‘Attaman’ Fiziev suffered a brutal knee injury in his last fight – against Mateusz Gamrot last September – and is yet to return.
Before the injury, Fiziev was becoming one of the most exciting fighters in the division, and a fight-of-the-year contender against Justin Gaethje in March 2023 showcased why.
Mateusz Gamrot is the only other fighter in the top eight that ‘Do Bronx’ hasn’t fought, but that matchup isn’t as exciting in my opinion.
At this stage of his career, it is exciting fights that Oliveira needs to be taking and I’m not sure Mateusz Gamrot offers that at this stage.
There is, however, one other option.
The aforementioned Justin Gaethje also suffered a brutal loss at UFC 300 putting his undisputed title charge to an end. A rematch of their UFC 274 main event could make a lot of sense. Oliveira seemingly wants to make another run to the title, but I’m not sure ‘The Highlight’ does.
Ultimately, despite the few options ‘Do Bronx’ has near the top of the division, there are certainly matchups to be had that could quickly get him back to where he was, and Rafael Fiziev is the perfect next dance partner.