“I Deserve That” – Charles Oliveira Questions Justin Gaethje’s Retirement Plans, Makes Huge Demand Ahead of UFC 335
Charles Oliveira wants to reclaim the lightweight belt after successfully defending his BMF strap at UFC 335.
Oliveira will lock horns with Diego Lopes next month in the main event of the aforementioned numbered event. Lopes, a former UFC featherweight title challenger, is moving up to 155 pounds to challenge the BMF kingpin.
Moments earlier, during the press conference, the 37-year-old said that if he beats Lopes, he believes he should be next in line for a shot at undisputed 155-pound champion Justin Gaethje. Oliveira also sent a message to “The Highlight,” who hasn’t decided whether to vacate and retire or return in 2027 to defend his belt. Oliveira said:
“I think that a win against Diego puts me right in line for a title. We just need to understand what’s the next step. What’s going on with Justin Gaethje? Are you gonna retire? Are you gonna keep going? But I’m the next in line for the [lightweight] title. I deserve that.”
Check out Charles Oliveira’s comments below:
Oliveira had a chance to capture the vacant lightweight title last year against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. However, “Do Bronxs” was knocked out cold by “El Matador” in the first round and sent back to the drawing board.
After the KO loss, many asked Oliveira to retire or take a year off. But the best submission artist in the game quickly turned things around by submitting Mateusz Gamrot later in 2025.
Earlier this year, “Do Bronxs” defeated Max Holloway to capture the BMF title, although not in a BMF-like manner.
Diego Lopes, on the other hand, is moving up to lightweight, as he believes earning another featherweight title shot is nearly impossible, since the division is crowded plus he has lost both of his championship bouts against Alexander Volkanovski. However, the 31-year-old has also clarified that the move is not permanent yet. He wants to see how his body performs in the new weight class and how much additional power he can generate with the extra 10 pounds.
Charles Oliveira Getting A 155-Pound Title Shot Now Even If He Wins At UFC 335 Is Highly Unlikely
Even if Charles Oliveira wins his BMF title fight at UFC 335, Arman Tsarukyan remains next in line for Justin Gaethje if “The Highlight” returns. However, if the UFC books a superfight between Gaethje and current and two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, Tsarukyan will have to wait once more.
But if Gaethje vacates the title, there is a decent chance “Do Bronxs” and Tsarukyan will run it back for the vacant lightweight belt, or the winner of a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett bout will lock horns with “Batman” for the vacant strap.