Will Oliveira Fight Topuria Next?

Charles Oliveira’s manager, Diego Lima, has addressed the possibility of a fight against Ilia Topuria.

The fight could happen after Topuria vacated his featherweight title last month and moved up to lightweight. His desire to become a two-weight champion influenced his decision. Topuria is targeting a fight against Islam Makhachev, the current UFC Lightweight Champion.

However, Topuria may have to earn his shot, having not fought in the weight class. Oliveira re-entered the title conversation after securing a unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309. Oliveira is the former lightweight champion who lost the belt to Makhachev in 2021. Lima feels that a fight can happen with Topuria if Islam moves up. 

Oliveira Vs. Topuria

“Everything is revolving around Makhachev. If Belal doesn’t win the fight in May, (Makhachev) would have a chance to go up a weight class, leaving us with Topuria vs. Charles. But if Belal wins, (Makhachev) would stay at lightweight, and we would have to see with the UFC who it would be — Topuria or Charles — because it depends on two factors: the UFC and Makhachev himself,” Lima said 

But if the Islam fight does not happen, there is the chance to face Justin Gaethje. Justin secured a win against Rafael Fiziev in their rematch at UFC 313 via a unanimous decision in his last fight. It was the rematch of their 2023 clash, which Justin also won.

The win was all the more impressive since Gaethje had to deal with a last-minute replacement after his original opponent Dan Hooker withdrew following a hand injury. The victory was needed following Justin’s KO loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in the fight before. Gaethje could face a whole host of top names in the lightweight division, but Dustin Poirier will not be one of those. He has a 1-1 record with The Diamond, but his focus is on securing a title shot. 

Gaethje Fight

“I want to fight for the belt, obviously. That’s a much different matchup than the one I just had. They tried to give me a doughnut. I took a bite, but I’ve got to get back to running if I’m going to fight Makahchev. No, I’ve stated many times that I don’t think that either one of our families deserve that. We’re 1-1. I’m OK with it. If he’s OK with it, then no. I think we’re contenders, but if we beat other people. If I beat him, I don’t think either one of us would be considered a contender,” Gaethje said 

That means a fight with Islam could take place, or Oliveira could face him to take him closer to a title shot. Charles was open to facing Justin next.

“Charles wants International Fight Week. He wants to fight twice this year. Fighting on June 28 would give him room to fight again at the end of the year.”“He told me he wants to fight in June, but if we don’t have the BMF or the title I wouldn’t know if we would fight? Maybe Justin Gaethje, who has made a great fight and sells a lot or a new fight with Dustin Poirier who sells a lot. Charles has to fight fighters who are big,” Lima stated