Charles Oliveira believes the path to the UFC lightweight title runs through Justin Gaethje, and he wants the opportunity to settle unfinished business once and for all.
Following Justin Gaethje’s stunning victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, Oliveira says he is ready to step up and challenge the newly crowned champion. The former lightweight titleholder believes their history, combined with the circumstances surrounding their first meeting, makes a rematch the fight to make.
Speaking to MMA Fighting, Charles Oliveira revealed that he deliberately waited for the outcome of the White House card before making plans for his next move.
“I made it very clear that I was waiting for the White House event to be over so we could figure out what the next step was. Now we know,” Oliveira said.
“The champion is Justin Gaethje, and I definitely want that fight. 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.”
The rivalry between Charles Oliveira and Gaethje dates back to UFC 274 in 2022. Oliveira submitted Gaethje in the first round, but the fight came under unusual circumstances. After missing weight by half a pound, Oliveira was stripped of the lightweight title before the bout, meaning only Gaethje was eligible to leave with the championship.
Oliveira has consistently maintained that the weigh-in controversy remains a sore point, and he believes there is still unfinished business between them.
“I’m just waiting for a phone call,” Oliveira said.”They know there’s a lot at stake in this fight. 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. There’s a lot of history behind this matchup.”
“I have a lot of respect for him, just like I respect every opponent, but this fight has to happen. Like I posted, I’m just waiting for my phone to ring.”
While Oliveira is eager for the rematch, he insists the location does not matter. The Brazilian star says he has spent much of his championship career fighting on enemy territory and is willing to do so again if it means reclaiming UFC gold.
“I’ve learned something throughout my life and my career: when you want something, you have to go after it,” Oliveira said.
“I’m chasing a title, so I have to go wherever that title is. But when I became champion, I had to defend my belt in his backyard. So why not in Brazil, or anywhere else in the world?”
“Of course, if it were in Brazil, it would be something magical for me and for the Brazilian fans. But like I just said, 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.”
Interestingly, Charles Oliveira admitted he expected Topuria to defeat Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. Instead, Gaethje delivered one of the biggest wins of his career, handing Topuria his first professional MMA loss and capturing the undisputed lightweight championship.
Despite wanting to stay active, Oliveira is willing to be patient if it means securing a title unification bout involving both the lightweight and BMF belts.
“I was waiting for the White House event to happen so I could understand what the next step would be,” Oliveira said.
“I believe this week or next week everything will start falling into place. I like to stay active. I like to keep fighting and making things happen.”
“But 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? Right now, the timing is to wait and see what the UFC wants so we can move forward.”
For now, Charles Oliveira remains in wait-and-see mode. But if the UFC decides to book Gaethje’s first title defense, “Do Bronx” has made it clear that he wants to be the man standing across the Octagon.
