Charles Oliveira wants to leapfrog Topuria: 'A win gives me the title shot'

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Charles Oliveira wants to leapfrog Topuria: 'A win gives me the title shot'.

On December 12, Charles Oliveira steps into the cage — when he defends his BMF belt against Diego Lopes. But his gaze reaches further: a win is supposed to rocket him past Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria directly into the title race. The division is stalled as long as Justin Gaethje doesn't clarify his future.

How Oliveira argues his case

Oliveira is openly campaigning for the next title shot. Speaking to ABC, he concedes that Arman Tsarukyan is considered one of the leading candidates for the belt at 155 pounds (70.3 kg). At the same time, he brings a second argument into play — his commercial drawing power.

«Creo que Arman peleará por el título, pero Charles Oliveira vende mucho. Una victoria sobre Diego Lopes definitivamente me otorga una oportunidad por el título» — in English: "I think Arman will fight for the title, but Charles Oliveira sells a lot. A win over Diego Lopes definitely gives me a title shot."

The Gaethje factor decides

Oliveira ties his plan to one concrete condition: Justin Gaethje's decision. The American holds the belt and has been publicly contemplating retirement. The UFC will "certainly" push him for a public answer soon, the thinking goes — either surrender the title or defend it. Should the former happen, the Brazilian sees himself straight in the fight for the vacant belt — against the number-two ranked contender.

«Si Justin se retira, Charles Oliveira definitivamente peleará por el título contra Tsarukyan, el número dos», Oliveira explained. Translated: "If Justin retires, Charles Oliveira will definitely fight Tsarukyan for the title, the number two."

Timing as trump card

The Brazilian plays the timing card — whoever steps into the cage last stays in the conversation longer. «Si gano esta pelea, ellos habrán peleado un poco antes y yo habré peleado después. Mi pelea estará más fresca en la mente de la gente cuando busquen a alguien para pelear al principio del año» — in essence: "If I win this fight, they will have fought a bit earlier and I will have fought later. My fight will be fresher in people's minds when they're looking for someone to fight at the start of the year."

Oliveira was already UFC lightweight champion about five years ago, before he claimed the BMF belt as a symbolic prize for particularly crowd-pleasing performances. So his next argument: fresh win, proven name.

The name that's missing

What's striking is what Oliveira does not say in his scenario: Ilia Topuria. The Spaniard of Georgian roots appears in none of his arguments — even though a rematch with the former champion remains on the table. The UFC does not rule out this possibility should Gaethje defend. In Oliveira's calculation, Topuria simply doesn't appear, which in a division whose title race depends on multiple factors is a statement in itself.

What stands in Oliveira's way

Two obstacles remain visible: Arman Tsarukyan sits as the official challenger in pole position, and Ilia Topuria holds a rematch card in his back pocket as a former champion. The final decision rests with the UFC anyway — and first with Gaethje himself. Only when he speaks in the coming months will the picture reshuffle. Oliveira has laid his arguments on the table; he has to back them up on December 12 in the octagon against Lopes.