TLDR
- Charles Oliveira is calling for a rematch with new UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje
- Oliveira wants to unify his BMF title with Gaethje’s lightweight championship
- Their first fight in 2022 ended with Oliveira submitting Gaethje after being stripped on the scale
- Gaethje recently said there’s little chance he fights again in 2026 after two wins this year
- Oliveira is willing to wait until 2027 for a title unification bout if necessary
Sources: mmafighting.com | mmamania.com
Charles Oliveira is calling for a rematch with newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje following Gaethje’s victory at the UFC White House card on June 14. The Brazilian fighter believes he should be next in line for a title shot.
“The champion is Justin Gaethje, and I definitely want that fight,” Oliveira told MMA Fighting. “I definitely want to be next in line. And there’s nothing better than putting both belts on the line, the BMF title and the lightweight championship.”
Oliveira currently holds the BMF title after defeating Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March. He also holds a first-round submission victory over Gaethje from their UFC 274 meeting in May 2022.
That fight took place in Phoenix, Arizona, where Oliveira weighed in half a pound over the championship limit. He was stripped of his lightweight title on the scale, though he has long maintained he made weight the night before and questioned whether the local commission made an error.
Gaethje was still eligible to win the vacant title but lost via submission to Oliveira. Four years later, Gaethje captured the undisputed lightweight championship by defeating Ilia Topuria at UFC White House.
Does Charles Oliveira deserve a title shot? 🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/OXmzKjz6Wi
— TenEight (@10eightgg) June 24, 2026
History Behind the Matchup
Oliveira pointed to the controversial circumstances of their first fight as motivation for a rematch. “There’s everything that happened with the weigh-in, the fact that I fought in his backyard and that my belt was taken from me there,” he said.
The former champion defended his belt in hostile territory multiple times in 2022. He fought Gaethje in Arizona and Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi for back-to-back title fights, plus UFC title wins over Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier in the United States in 2021.
Oliveira suggested Gaethje could return the favor by fighting in Brazil or another location outside the United States. “When I became champion I had to defend my belt in his backyard. So why not in Brazil, or anywhere else in the world?” he said.
However, the Brazilian made clear he would accept the fight anywhere. “I’m here to fight for the title. It doesn’t matter where it is. Wherever the call comes from, I’ll be there, ready.”
Waiting Game for Title Shot
Oliveira’s head coach and manager Diego Lima was in Las Vegas last weekend to corner Alan Nascimento at UFC Vegas 119. The plan was to meet with UFC officials during the week to negotiate Oliveira’s next move.
“I’m just waiting for a phone call,” Oliveira said. “They know there’s a lot at stake in this fight.”
Gaethje recently stated there is a “very, very small chance” he would fight again in 2026 after going 2-0 this year against Paddy Pimblett and Topuria. Oliveira said he is willing to wait until 2027 for a title unification bout if needed.
Ian Machado Garry Signs With Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency
“If it’s for a title unification fight, and the chance to make history once again, then why not stay on the sidelines for a while, stay focused, and know exactly when the fight is going to happen?” Oliveira said.
The Brazilian acknowledged other contenders might complicate his path to a title shot. Arman Tsarukyan presents a fresh matchup for Gaethje after Oliveira lost to Tsarukyan at UFC 300.
Oliveira was also knocked out by Topuria at UFC 317 last June, which could factor into the UFC’s decision-making. His most recent victory was a one-sided decision against Holloway in Las Vegas to claim the BMF title.
Oliveira said he expects clarity on his next fight within the coming weeks. “I believe this week or next week everything will start falling into place,” he said.
