Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira appears to have a date in mind for his return to action later this year — suggesting he vie for the symbolic BMF championship against Max Holloway as soon as International Fight Week later this summer.
Oliveira, a former undisputed lightweight champion and the current number two ranked divisional contender, most recently returned to winning ways in a UFC 309 co-main event return at Madison Square Garden.
And wrapping up his second career win over former vacant title challenger, Michael Chandler, Oliveira forced a unanimous decision victory against the ex-Bellator MMA gold holder over the course of five rounds in their rematch in New York.
Charles Oliveira targeting International Fight Week return to action
Hoping to secure himself a surefire shot at the undisputed championship later this annum, Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira teased a return to the Octagon as soon as the summer at International Fight Week, having stressed his desire this weekend to take on current BMF champion, Holloway in a rematch next.
Charles Oliveira via. Instagram:
“International fight week
”
#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/iHtZvAjNOq
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 7, 2025
And off the back of former-foe, Islam Makhachev first round title defense win over compatriot, Renato Moicano, Brazilian fan-favorite, Oliveira claimed he would love the chance to avenge his forgettable injury TKO loss to Holloway dating back to 2015 in the form of a rematch at the lightweight limit next.
If he (Islam Makhachev) only wants to fight in October, I definitely want to fight before that,” Charles Oliveira told UFC Brasil. So, why not challenge Max Holloway for the BMF belt?
“We met before, but I suffered an injury right in the beginning, so there wasn’t an actual fight,” Charles Oliveira continued. “I think we deserve to make this fight happen.”
