Oliveira Defends BMF Belt vs. Lopes at UFC 335

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Charles Oliveira will defend the BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335, according to a newly published report dated October 4. The matchup brings Lopes up to lightweight for a major fight against Oliveira, adding another marquee bout to the event. Oliveira’s title defense gives the former UFC lightweight champion a high-profile assignment, while Lopes gets an opportunity to establish himself in a new division. The broader UFC 335 lineup also includes Alex Pereira versus Sergei Pavlovich and Bo Nickal versus Joe Pyfer. The report identifies the Oliveira–Lopes bout as part of the latest event additions.

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Charles Oliveira is reportedly set to defend the BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335, with the matchup not officially confirmed. The report, dated October 4, says the fight would bring Lopes up to lightweight for a headline assignment against the former UFC lightweight champion. UFC 335 is scheduled for December 12.

Oliveira, nicknamed "Do Bronxs," carries a 37-11-0 record and is ranked third at lightweight and 11th in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 36-year-old Brazilian fights out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima and is known for his submission game, averaging 2.6 attempts per 15 minutes alongside 2.22 takedowns. On the feet he lands 3.35 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy, and he stands five-foot-ten with a 74-inch reach.

For Lopes, the reported bout would mark a move into a new weight class and a chance to establish himself at lightweight against one of the division's most accomplished finishers.

The report also lists other bouts on the UFC 335 card, which is said to include Alex Pereira against Sergei Pavlovich and Bo Nickal against Joe Pyfer.

Nickal, 30, is 9-1-0 and ranked 14th at middleweight. The American out of American Top Team Happy Valley is a southpaw who stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. He averages 3.1 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 3.35 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy.

Pyfer, also 30, is 16-3-0 and ranked sixth at middleweight. He fights out of Team Balance as an orthodox striker, standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. He lands 3.52 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy.

Why it matters

The BMF belt would be on the line in a fight that reportedly sends Lopes up in weight to face a top-three lightweight.
Oliveira's grappling output makes the matchup a test of how Lopes handles a submission specialist in a new division.
The Nickal-Pyfer bout would pit a ranked middleweight in Pyfer against Nickal, ranked 14th, adding divisional stakes to the undercard.

None of the bouts have been officially announced by the UFC.