Oliveira is targeting a shot at the
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title after his next
bout.
Oliveira is scheduled to defend his BMF title against Diego Lopes
at UFC
335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While preparing
for that matchup, “do Bronxs” has weighed in on the lightweight
title picture and the future of reigning champion Justin
Gaethje, whom he previously defeated.
Charles Oliveira sees Arman Tsarukyan as possible vacant-title
opponent if Justin Gaethje retires after UFC 335
Oliveira acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Gaethje’s future
in an interview with Sherdog. He said the UFC needs to establish
whether “The Highlight” intends to defend his title. Gaethje has
discussed retirement and a potential bout against Conor
McGregor.
“The first step is for the UFC to sit down with Gaethje and find
out exactly what he plans to do,” Oliveira told Sherdog’s Marcelo
Alonso. “He says he won’t fight this year, but that he would if it
were against Conor. Then he starts talking about retirement. If I
get past Diego, I think my name carries weight, and I believe I’ll
be next in line for a shot at the undisputed title.”
Oliveira acknowledged that Arman
Tsarukyan also deserves a title shot and envisioned a rematch
against “The Batman” if Gaethje vacates the belt.
“Obviously, Arman deserves it too,” Oliveira added. “But I think
the first step is for the UFC to find out whether Gaethje is
retiring or continuing to fight. If he doesn’t retire, it could be
Arman or me against Gaethje. If he retires, then it’s me and Arman
fighting for the vacant title.”
Oliveira also addressed criticism that his grappling-heavy victory
over Max
Holloway in his last bout did not suit the BMF title. The
former UFC lightweight champion said he is unbothered by public
opinion and focused on winning. He also argued that no one had
neutralized Holloway as effectively as he did.
“Anyone who truly understands fighting, with all due respect to
Max, knows that what I did to him is something no other fighter has
done,” Oliveira added. “I completely neutralized his game. So, I
don’t care what people say. At the end of the day, all I care about
is whether my Sherdog record shows a win or a loss. I’m fighting
more strategically, with greater awareness and without doing
anything crazy.”
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