Charles Oliveira has declared himself next in line for a shot at Justin Gaethje, pushing for a bout that would put both the BMF title and the lightweight championship on the line. "I definitely want to be next in line," Oliveira said. "And there's nothing better than putting both belts on the line, the BMF title and the lightweight championship."
Charles Oliveira has publicly declared himself the rightful next challenger for Justin Gaethje, calling for a lightweight unification bout that would also place the BMF title on the line.
Oliveira, ranked third in the lightweight division and 11th in the pound-for-pound standings, carries a record of 37-11-0 and remains one of the most dangerous submission artists in the sport. The 36-year-old Brazilian trains out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima and brings a well-rounded offensive game to the cage, landing 3.35 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy while averaging 2.22 takedowns and 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes. At five-foot-ten with a 74-inch reach, "Do Bronx" has long been regarded as a defining figure in a stacked 155-pound division.
Standing across from him would be reigning lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who holds both the undisputed title and the BMF belt. "The Highlight" is 28-5-0 and at 37 years old remains among the most relentless pressure fighters in the weight class. The Arizona-based American stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and leads the division in striking output, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. His ground game is minimal by design, averaging just 0.33 takedowns per 15 minutes with no submission attempts on record.
Oliveira made his intentions clear, stating he wants to be next in line and describing a double-belt scenario — both the BMF title and the lightweight championship — as the ideal stage.
Why it matters
- A win would make Oliveira a two-belt holder and cement a historic lightweight legacy
- Gaethje defending both titles simultaneously raises the stakes beyond a standard title fight
- The stylistic contrast is stark: Oliveira's submission volume against Gaethje's elite striking volume sets up a classic grappler-versus-striker matchup
- At third in the divisional rankings, Oliveira has a credible case for the next title shot
