Charles Oliveira still has big goals after his recent defeat at UFC 300 earlier this month (April 13, 2024).
Arman Tsarukyan was too much for the former Lightweight champion in their highly-anticipated collision. Ultimately, Tsarukyan took home a split decision win on the historic night to supplant Oliveira.
The fight was viewed as a possible title eliminator going in, and “Do Bronx’s” chance to try and return to the 155-pound throne. He’ll need to climb his way back to such an opportunity. So, who should he do so against? That’s assuming the Brazilian legend stays in the division.
“There’s so much going on [at Lightweight now],” Oliveira told MMA Fighting. “Conor [McGregor] and Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Islam Makhachev, fights that are about to happen soon, so I don’t want to rush things. I just fought, it was recent. I have no injuries but everybody knows that a camp is a camp. I want to take it slow, no craziness, to do things the right way.
“Why not [move up to Welterweight]?” he continued. “Why not take a fight that will lead us to money and history and legacy? We have to think about it and talk to the organization. Why not move up in weight and do a big fight? A fight that makes sense and gives us money? Why not?”
A weight change would be nothing new in Oliveira’s career as he most notably dropped to Featherweight in 2012 before he went back to Lightweight in 2017. Oliveira started his career at Welterweight in a single-night tournament that he won by finishing all three opponents. However, that was it for Oliveira and 170 pounds.
Regardless of who is next for Oliveira, he hopes it just comes in a relatively quick fashion.
“I left [Las Vegas] asking for another fight right away,” Oliveira said. “I want to fight as early as possible. I had two or three stitches over my eye but that’s gone already. I have no injuries whatsoever. I’m ready to fight again as soon as the UFC calls me. Of course, I don’t have anything to prove to anyone and everybody knows my history in the UFC, so there’s no point accepting fights with the No. 8 or 10 in the division. I want to fight people who are ahead of me. That’s why we have to wait and think, analyze the next step we’ll take. My managers and coaches will analyze that.”