RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesCharles
Oliveira 's camp has shut down speculation linking the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion to a BMF
title defense against Diego
Lopes .
With Lopes making it clear that he’s looking to move up to
lightweight after his knockout victory over Steve
Garcia at
UFC Freedom 250 , rumors linking him to a fight against the BMF
champ emerged. According to
Chute Boxe coach and Oliveira’s manager, Diego Lima, their
team’s goal remains the undisputed lightweight crown. Diego Lima shuts down Oliveira vs. Lopes, eyes Justin Gaethje
rematch
Lima recently broke down the lightweight title mix, revealing that
current champion Justin
Gaethje is expected to return to action next year. The veteran
coach also acknowledged that Arman
Tsarukyan , who’s beaten Oliveira, is ahead of “do Bronxs” in
the pecking order at 155 pounds. However, Lima highlighted the fact
that his pupil is a bigger star than Tsarukyan and, more
importantly, boasts a win over Gaethje. "Our biggest goal is the lightweight title, but obviously that
doesn't depend only on us," Lima told Sherdog’s Marcelo Alonso."Gaethje is the champion and what we know is that he's expected to
return in March or April of 2027, which puts us in a difficult
position. Right now, we know that Arman is ahead of us. At the same
time, we know Charles would sell much more, especially because he
already defeated Gaethje and he's also the current BMF
champion."
Lima went on to deny claims that Oliveira and Lopes were in talks
for a BMF title bout. "To be completely honest, we're not talking about that at all,"
Lima added. "My intention is not to touch the BMF belt right now
and instead focus on fighting Gaethje for the lightweight title. Of
course, depending on what the UFC wants to negotiate next, we'll
evaluate it, but our objective is the undisputed lightweight
championship."
Oliveira is on a two-fight win streak, in which he submitted
Mateusz
Gamrot and dominated Max
Holloway to win the BMF title. According to the Brazilian’s
team, rematches against Tsarukyan or Gaethje are the only matchups
they’d entertain.
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