Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC
Lightweight Charles Oliveira has an idea about how the UFC should establish a new lightweight champion.
Although UFC president Dana White insists that Khabib Nurmagomedov is not retired for good and the lightweight belt is not vacated, that did not stop some of the division’s top contenders to picture how a new future without the ‘Eagle’ would be like in the weight class.
Among those athletes is Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt Charles Oliveira, who believe that a grand prix between lightweight’s six top contenders might be the best way to go. In an interview with Portal do Vale Tudo, ‘Do Bronx’ explained how he believes the system should work, going the extra mile to match up all fighters while at it.
“I’m sure I need to fight one more time before I can fight for the belt. Pair Conor McGregor against Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson with the new guy from Bellator (Michael Chandler). Then give me Dan Hooker or Justin Gaethje. Have everyone fight on the same night.”
“They’re both coming off losses (Gaethje and Hooker)”. Charles continued. “I have seven straight wins. This is a really good fight for either of them.”
Currently on a seven-fight winning streak, all of them finishes, Charles Oliveira (29-8-1 NC) defeated some notable names during his impressive run, such as Kevin Lee, Jim Miller and Clay Guida. The 31-year-old’s last loss happened in December 2017, when he was TKO’d by Paul Felder.