Oliveira Says He Should Jump Tsarukyan for Title Shot

Charles Oliveira believes a win over Diego Lopes at UFC 335 makes a stronger case for the next lightweight title shot than anything Arman Tsarukyan has done, and he wants to skip the line entirely.

Oliveira defends his BMF title against Lopes in the UFC 335 main event, returning to action after beating Max Holloway earlier this year to claim the belt. A win would put him right back in the 155-pound title conversation, but the path forward is clouded by Justin Gaethje's uncertain future. Gaethje has not said whether he plans to fight again after beating Ilia Topuria, and until he does, the division's next title fight is stuck in limbo.

Why Oliveira Thinks He Deserves to Jump Tsarukyan

Oliveira argues that drawing power, not just the win column, should decide who gets next crack at lightweight gold. Tsarukyan beat Oliveira at UFC 300 and followed that with an impressive performance against Mauricio Ruffy last month, building a resume that looks title-ready on paper. But Oliveira does not see it as settled business.

"I think Arman is there to fight for the title. However, if we're going to talk about name value, what do I think? I think I sell a lot more than Arman. So I could move ahead of Arman," Oliveira said.

He also raised the possibility that Gaethje simply does not come back. "There's this thing with Gaethje, that he could retire. If he retires, there's no other path to take. After this fight, it would definitely be me and Arman fighting for the title," Oliveira said. "If I win this fight, I would definitely be next in line, regardless of whether Gaethje comes back or not, because that would be a very big fight that sells really well."

What This Means for the Title Picture

A Oliveira win over Lopes sets up a logical path toward a rematch with Tsarukyan for a vacant or interim lightweight title if Gaethje steps away. That's the cleanest outcome the division has right now: two of its biggest stars, a score to settle from UFC 300, and no clear champion standing in the way if Gaethje retires. Tsarukyan has done the activity and the winning that typically earns a shot, but Oliveira's argument about drawing power is not just spin. He has main-evented pay-per-views, owns a submission record that sells itself, and just walked through Holloway to win a belt. Promotionally, the UFC has every incentive to book whichever matchup moves more tickets and pay-per-view buys, and Oliveira knows it.

For bettors, the more immediate implication is in the UFC 335 main event itself. Diego Lopes is live underdog territory against a fighter of Oliveira's championship pedigree, but Lopes has shown real finishing ability and durability against the division's upper tier. Expect the line to favor Oliveira, with the market also pricing in extra magnitude given what's riding on it: a win doesn't just keep the BMF belt, it becomes Oliveira's leverage in the title conversation. If the promotion ultimately leans into the money angle Oliveira is pitching, sportsbooks will likely have him as a betting favorite whenever that showdown with Tsarukyan gets made, given his resume and box-office track record against a challenger who, for all his wins, still lacks a marquee moment of his own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Charles Oliveira say about Arman Tsarukyan and the lightweight title shot?

Charles Oliveira said a win over Diego Lopes at UFC 335 should make him the next lightweight title challenger ahead of Arman Tsarukyan, citing his bigger drawing power despite Tsarukyan's win over him at UFC 300.

Who is Charles Oliveira fighting at UFC 335?

Charles Oliveira defends his BMF title against Diego Lopes in the UFC 335 main event.

Why is Justin Gaethje relevant to the Oliveira-Tsarukyan situation?

Justin Gaethje has not announced whether he will fight again after beating Ilia Topuria, and his decision could determine whether Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan end up fighting each other for a vacant lightweight title.