Potential lightweight matchups for Charles Oliveira, Mateusz Gamrot after bout

Charles Oliveira challenges for the BMF belt

After the fight, Oliveira spoke through his translator in the post-fight interview, saying that he would like to challenge the current no. 3 lightweight contender and BMF belt holder, Max Holloway.  

“Max is a guy I have total respect for," Oliveira said, via ESPN MMA. "It would be something amazing. Why not?”

This would be a great fight to make. After Oliveira was knocked out quickly in the first round by Ilia Topuria for the vacant Lightweight championship in June at UFC 317, he won’t be the fighter getting the next shot against Topuria. 

Oliveira seemed to understand that, and is willing to fight again even if it isn’t for an undisputed championship. The BMF belt he wants is a symbolic belt rather than a real undisputed championship. 

With pretty much every other top contender in the division already matched up for fights, Holloway makes sense for Oliveira both stylistically and timeline wise. 

This would be a rematch for Oliveira and Holloway. Holloway was able to get the TKO win due to an injury to Oliveira in 2015 when they first met at featherweight. 

If Oliveira can finish or decisively beat a polished striker like Holloway, it’ll prove he is deserving of a rematch with Topuria for the lightweight title. 

If for some reason that matchup doesn’t work out, Oliveira could fight the current No. 7 ranked contender Paddy Pimblett. This would be the toughest test of Pimblett’s career and could ascend him to the title. For Oliveira, it would prove he still is able to beat true contenders and can still win the belt.

Mateusz Gamrot has to fight lower in the rankings

Gamrot is in sort of no-man’s-land following the loss to Oliveira. As stated before, almost all of the contenders that are ranked higher than him are booked for their next fights. 

The fight that probably makes the most sense is a rematch with No. 10 ranked Rafael Fiziev. Gamrot replaced Fiziev against Oliveira on short notice due to a Fiziev injury during his camp.

This fight makes sense because their first fight was very close until Fiziev injured his leg, resulting in a TKO victory for Gamrot. This would give Gamrot an opportunity to solidify his prior win and quiet those who believe he only won because of the injury.

It makes sense for Fiziev as well. He was expected to challenge high up the rankings against Oliveira, but having to pull out will hurt his chances at challenging someone higher ranked than Gamrot. 

Another option could be Pimblett, although it wouldn’t be optimal from Pimblett’s perspective. He faced off with Topuria after UFC 317, so he is expecting to fight for the title. With everyone else booked, however, Gamrot may be Pimblett’s only option to stay active and prove he’s ready for the title. 

It would be an amazing opportunity for Gamrot to fight Pimblett. He could move up the rankings again and prove he’s still a serious contender if he can beat Pimblett decisively.