Charles Oliveira has a title shot on his mind, and he wants Justin Gaethje to start talking. Sherdog reported that the former lightweight champion is targeting a crack at UFC gold after his next fight, and that he wants answers from Gaethje about a potential matchup between the two.
That next fight is no tune-up. Oliveira defends his BMF belt against Diego Lopes on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, headlining UFC 335, the promotion’s final numbered card of the year. So the plan, as Oliveira lays it out, is simple on paper. Beat Lopes, then go after the 155-pound title.
The complication is the guy holding that title. According to MMA Fighting, Gaethje will not defend the lightweight belt in 2026, and there’s a chance he retires without ever defending it. If you’re Oliveira, sitting at the front of the line with a BMF strap and nowhere to cash it in, wanting a straight answer makes a lot of sense.
View post on X
Oliveira’s road here started a year ago. UFC Brasil noted on X that he won by submission at UFC Rio and immediately asked for Max Holloway and the BMF belt. He got that fight in March and won it dominantly, though he took the grappling route to do it. That approach drew criticism from fans, several fighters and even UFC CEO Dana White, which is a strange spot for the man who owns the most bonuses in UFC history.
Lopes is betting that criticism changes how Oliveira fights him. In an interview with MMA Fighting, Lopes said he hopes Oliveira comes in looking to make up for the Holloway fight and stand and trade. “Let’s see who goes down first,” Lopes said, laughing. The Brazilian has won seven bonuses in 10 UFC appearances and is making his lightweight debut after knocking out Steve Garcia at UFC White House in June. He said the UFC had floated him against Dan Hooker in Paris and Benoit Saint Denis at Madison Square Garden before landing on Oliveira, who he called the toughest matchup of his career because he can finish you on the feet, off his back or from top position.
Lopes also took a shot at how Gaethje’s fights get picked. He argued the UFC tends to steer Gaethje toward opponents where he doesn’t have to worry about jiu-jitsu or takedowns, and pointed out that Oliveira has already submitted him. Lopes even pitched himself as a stylistically friendly opponent for Gaethje and said he’d love to defend the BMF title against him.
View post on X
My take: Oliveira is right to press this, and Lopes basically wrote his opening argument for him. A champion who might not fight again this year, and might walk away without a defense, is a champion who owes the division a timeline. Oliveira has the rematch history, the belt that’s supposed to mean “baddest” and the bonus record. If he beats a guy who wants a firefight, and does it in a way that keeps Dana off his back, Gaethje’s phone should start ringing the morning of Dec. 13.
