Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira knows what he wants next — and he thinks the MMA masses want it too.
Oliveira placed his name back into the championship conversation last November by recording a second victory over Michael Chandler. With that result, the Brazilian entered the year with his sights set on the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan.
That matchup, however, fell apart on late notice, with the reigning lightweight champ instead defeating Renato Moicano. And after Tsarukyan's withdrawal, the status of next in line appears to be up in the air.
With the Russian-Armenian seemingly having to re-earn his opportunity and Makhachev reportedly being less than keen to face Ilia Topuria before the Spaniard has beaten a contender, "Do Bronx" has looked to secure a long-awaited chance at redemption.
In a video posted to his Instagram Story, Oliveira staked his claim. In a message to the UFC, the Brazilian fan favorite urged the promotion to book him opposite Makhachev for International Fight Week in June, claiming to have the community's support for the plan.
The UFC has a lot of guys who talk a big game. I can talk because I've been here for almost 15 years," Charles Oliveira said (translated by @ChampRDS. "I want to fight during International Fight Week, Makhachev too... UFC, let's make this happen. This is the fight everyone wants to see.
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Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev collided at UFC 280 in October 2022. After losing the lightweight gold on the scale prior to his victory over Justin Gaethje, "Do Bronx" hoped to regain the vacant belt at the Dagestani's expense.
That ultimately didn't come to be, however, as Makhachev instead steamrolled through the veteran en route to a second-round submission. He's since successfully defended the throne three times.
