Charles Oliveira has called for a lightweight title shot after easily handling Tony Ferguson in the UFC 256 co-main event.
Current champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has left the 155lb division in a state of flux after announcing his retirement post-fight at UFC 249. The undefeated Russian is yet to officially relinquish his title and despite doubling down on his retirement claims, many including UFC boss Dana White believe Nurmagomedov will return to defend his title one more time.
Oliveira has the opposite opinion and believes Nurmagomedov is done fighting. ‘Do Bronx’ thinks the division should move on and he should be first in line for a shot at the soon-to-be vacant UFC lightweight title.
“Khabib swore on his father’s grave that he wasn’t going to come back,” Oliveira said. “When a man does that, I don’t think he’s going to come back. [Justin] Gaethje can go fight whoever. But I want the winner of Conor [McGregor] and [Dustin] Poirier.
“I have eight wins in a row. Seven of those, I finished the fight. I don’t let it go to the judges’ hands. I finish fights. I’m in the position to be fighting for the belt.”
On January 23 former dual weight UFC champion Conor McGregor will rematch Dustin Poirier in the UFC 257 main event. Oliveira believes whoever emerges victorious from that eagerly anticipated bout should be his next opponent and UFC gold should be on the line when they fight.
“I don’t really think there is a preference,” Oliveira said. “I want to fight for the belt. That’s been my dream and my team’s dream. Obviously fighting Conor involves a lot of other things. It’s a lot of money and a lot of other things that maybe a fight with Dustin wouldn’t involve but we really want to win the belt. It really doesn’t make a difference.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)
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