“It doesn’t matter who wins. I’m next.”
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently announced the championship headliner for the upcoming UFC 311: “Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2” mixed martial arts (MMA) event, scheduled for Sat., Jan. 18, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. As the name implies, UFC 311 is headlined by the 155-pound rematch between reigning division kingpin, Islam Makhachev, and red-hot lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan.
With a very interested observer sitting cageside.
Former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, recently told TNT Sports that he plans to be in attendance for the UFC 311 pay-per-view (PPV) extravaganza and would be happy to serve as championship backup, in case something happens to either Makhachev or Tsarukyan. Not likely, but crazy stuff can happen in the fight business (like this).
“I’ll be there even if I have to sit close to the cage,” Oliveira said. “If the UFC wants [me as backup], why not? They have similar styles, I think Islam is a little bit ahead. I also think it’s going to be a very good fight but for me, it doesn’t matter who wins. I’m next.”
There appears to be no one in the Top 5 who can leapfrog him.
Oliveira (35-10) is coming off a decision victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 309 last month in New York and is looking to avenge his loss to whoever prevails at UFC 311. Makhachev submitted Oliveira at UFC 280 to capture the 155-pound crown, while Tsarukyan was able to slip past “Do Bronx” as part of the UFC 300 fight card back in April.