Charles Oliveira is looking to return to the Octagon as early as March or April. The former UFC Lightweight champion wants to get a title shot by winning his next UFC outing.
Oliveira won the championship at UFC 262 by defeating Michael Chandler. He was later stripped of the belt for a weight miss before UFC 274.
Oliveira won and unsuccessfully challenged Islam Makhachev for the vacant title at UFC 280.
Now, “Do Bronx” aims to compete for an opportunity to face Makhachev and regain the 155-pound title.
He obviously won’t be getting an instant rematch since the new champ is already facing Alexander Volkanovski in February. There were previously reports that Oliveira passed on the chance for a rematch due to concerns for ‘mental wellbeing’.
Oliveira spoke to Ag Figh and said that he wants to face a high-ranked title contender who’s next in line for the title.
“Today, I’m one fight away from him. UFC knows that – knows that I want. I didn’t come here to play. I came to make history. I want to fight around the end of March, April, that’s my timing. I need to fight on that date. And I need a guy who (is) winning, will definitely be the next challenger for the title.”
Oliveira says that Makhachev will fight in February, so he might be available at the end of the year to put the title on the line against him.
“He (Islam Makhachev) will fight now in February, so I, in March, April, caught a guy who puts me in front of the goal again for the title at the end of the year,”
“For sure (just one more fight to the belt). Now I fight in March, April and at the end of the year for the title again.”
As far as his opponent in March or April is concerned, many are speculating that Beneil Dariush is the man for the job. However, Oliveira doubts that this matchup will get him into the title picture. He said: “is this the fight that would put me straight in contention for the belt?”