What’s the road to redemption at UFC lightweight? If you ask Charles Oliveira, it’s ‘Activity.’ With Ilia Topuria moving up to lightweight and maybe jumping the line for a title opportunity, Charles Oliveira finds himself in an unclear situation once again. The former champion has been pushing for a rematch with Islam Makhachev, feeling he deserves another shot at the lightweight title. However, Topuria’s successful run at featherweight, along with his star power, has set him in a favorable position to face Makhachev instead. This would undoubtedly frustrate any fighter, so he finally spoke about it in a recent interview.

Unlike Topuria, who has been open about Oliveira’s losses and has mocked his combat IQ, the fighter from the favelas is taking a more measured approach. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, he made it clear that, while he wants his rematch, ‘Do Bronx’ will not be shaken by UFC politics. “The bottom line is Makhachev is the guy that has to be beat. So if [Topuria’s] the next one to fight him, then so be it. I’m just an employee here. If he’s given the chance and not me, I’m gonna keep fighting, I’m gonna keep preparing, and I’m gonna keep waiting for my turn to come around. It is what it is.”

Well, it looks like Oliveira is not ready to stand down just yet. He is 2-1 since his 2022 loss to Makhachev, with a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan sandwiched between solid victories over Beneil Dariush and Michael Chandler. Despite no guarantees, he expected his victory over Chandler to result in a rematch against Makhachev, which made the current scenario frustrating. With UFC CEO Dana White saying that Tsarukyan will have to work his way back to a championship opportunity after sustaining an injury earlier this year, Oliveira believes the way is open for his rematch. But if the UFC chooses Topuria instead, “Do Bronx” won’t waste time grumbling; he’ll be prepared for whatever happens next.

Think back a few years. When Conor McGregor was atop the UFC lightweight and featherweight ladders. “I need to see some activity,” he said when asked about prospective challengers. Kamaru Usman said the same thing when he stared lapping up the welterweight top 5 during his title run. But at lightweight, it’s the dearth of clear-cut contenders. Tsarukyan fumbled his chance and went to the back of the line. Oliveira does not interest the champion since he already beat the Brazilian for the title.

The next best options are Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria, the latter of whom would be a relatively shocking twist to the scene. Since Oliveira already holds a win over Gaethje, he feels he should be preferred over the American star. Fair point. But if Dana White had to choose, what criteria would he apply? There is no clear cut contender and he will have to make someone unhappy. He just has to decide who.

Ideally, Oliveira would like to return at UFC 317 during International Fight Week, whether for the undisputed championship or the BMF crown. “It all comes down to the title,” Charles Oliveira said. “If not Islam, maybe [the UFC’s ceremonial] BMF [belt]. There’s a lot of talk about [Dustin] Poirier fighting somebody else, Islam going up. I don’t know; I can’t concern myself with all these things. All I gotta do is prepare myself and be ready when it comes time.” Well, it surely looks like Charles Oliveira is eager to fight. So, what if Dana White books him against Ilia Topuria? After all, the two have been feuding for a while now.

Charles Oliveira opens up on having Ilia Topuria at lightweight

‘Do Bronx’ may be patient regarding the UFC’s matchmaking decisions, but when it comes to Ilia Topuria, his patience runs out. The two have been at odds since ‘El Matador’ vacated his featherweight title to pursue lightweight gold, with Charles Oliveira stating clearly that he expects to be Islam Makhachev’s next challenger. Topuria, on the other hand, has not taken it well, mocking Oliveira’s losses and even questioning his IQ. The verbal war has only gotten worse, and Oliveira is fully aware of what’s happening.

“It’s been 15 years [since I first started] in the UFC, respecting everybody. I’ve said it already — my story is written there. Everybody can see it,” Oliveira explained on The Ariel Helwani Show. “He’s coming from [his position] as a champion of the featherweight division and now trying to come up [to lightweight] and show this [level of superiority]. But I have firepower on my wrists, and I’m really focused on the belt itself. It’s not about who is in my way, but getting the belt.”

Oliveira respects Topuria’s abilities but believes the verbal attacks are a desperate attempt to force a fight. “He’s just trying to dig out a fight [for himself],” Oliveira explained. “He’s saying a lot of crap. I really respect his fights, the way he’s come up and everything, but he’s being very disrespectful now and is saying a lot of things he shouldn’t.” ‘El Matador’ may no longer officially hold his featherweight title after April 12, but his remarkable climb has propelled him to the forefront of the lightweight division. He has an unblemished record and has knocked out Volkanovski and Holloway in consecutive fights, establishing himself as one of the division’s biggest threats. However, ‘Do Bronx’ has never backed down from a challenge. Whether it’s against Makhachev, Topuria, or another top challenger, “Do Bronx” is determined to reclaim the gold. What do you think? Will Charles Oliveira get his rematch against Islam Makhachev? Let us know in the comments.