TLDR
- Charles Oliveira has turned down potential fights with Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett, insisting he’s next in line for a title shot
- Oliveira wants a rematch with current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, whom he defeated in 2022
- The Brazilian fighter proposes putting three belts on the line: the lightweight title, BMF belt, and what he calls the ‘White House’ belt
- Oliveira currently holds the BMF championship after defeating Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March 2025
- Oliveira is willing to wait until early 2027 if needed and says the fight can happen anywhere in the world
Sources: mmamania.com | si.com
Charles Oliveira has made it clear he’s not interested in fighting anyone except Justin Gaethje. The Brazilian fighter says he’s next in line for a title shot and is willing to wait as long as it takes.
Oliveira currently holds the BMF championship after defeating Max Holloway at UFC 326 last March. Gaethje is now the UFC lightweight champion, setting up a potential rematch of their 2022 fight.
“I believe I’m next in line to fight for the title,” Oliveira told Olhar da Luta. “If I’m next in line and Gaethje only wants to fight next year, at the beginning of the year, why not wait? I’m not in a hurry, I can wait.”
The UFC has approached Oliveira about fighting top contenders like Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett. But the 37-11 fighter has rejected these options, saying they would be steps backward.
“With all due respect, I’m not looking back, I’m looking forward,” Oliveira said. “I want the title, that’s what I’m doing, that’s what I’m focused on.”
Charles Oliveira calls for a fight with Justin Gaethje with ALL the belts on the line. 🏆
“With all due respect, I’m not looking backward. I’m looking forward. I want to fight for the title. That’s what I’m focused on.” – @charlesdobronxs via @olhardaluta pic.twitter.com/q4mM7BWHsO
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) August 26, 2026
History Between Oliveira and Gaethje
Oliveira defeated Gaethje at UFC 274 in Phoenix in May 2022. He finished Gaethje with a first-round rear-naked choke to retain the lightweight title at the time.
Oliveira later lost his title to Islam Makhachev in October 2022 at UFC 280. He then suffered a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June 2025.
Gaethje’s path back to the title came through an upset victory over Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. This win shocked the MMA world and set up the possibility of a rematch with Oliveira.
“My struggle with Gaethje has a history, there’s a story behind it and now he’s champion,” Oliveira explained. “It could be in his backyard, it could be in Vegas, anywhere in the world, I just need a call to set a date and a time.”
Oliveira Proposes Three-Belt Fight
Oliveira isn’t just calling for a standard title fight. He wants to raise the stakes as high as possible by putting multiple belts on the line.
In an interview with journalist Bia Galev, Oliveira said he wants the lightweight title, BMF belt, and what he calls the “White House” belt all at stake. “I said two belts and the internet went ‘not two, it’s three! It’s the White House, the lightweight and the BMF,'” Oliveira said.
The fighter doubled down on this proposal. “So okay, so put all three on the line, there’s no problem at all,” he added.
Oliveira holds UFC records for most finishes with 21, most submissions with 17, and most bonuses with 21. His decorated career has earned him the confidence to make such demands.
The UFC has not yet announced main events for UFC 332 on October 3, UFC 334 on November 14, or UFC 335 on December 12. Oliveira appears ready to return whenever the promotion calls.
Gaethje has not publicly responded to Oliveira’s challenge or the proposal to put three belts on the line. As the current champion, Gaethje holds the power to accept or decline the terms of his next title defense.
