Charles Oliveira’s Title Shot Limbo: ‘Do Bronx’ Awaits His Fate in UFC’s Lightweight Division
The former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira finds himself in an all-too-familiar position these days—playing the waiting game. The Brazilian submission specialist is stuck on the sidelines, watching as the lightweight division moves forward without him.
With his iconic bleached hair and that unmistakable thousand-yard stare, Oliveira remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC’s 155-pound division. But will that be enough to secure another crack at the title he once held?
Has Oliveira Done Enough to Earn Another Title Shot?
I’ve been watching Oliveira’s career for years, and few fighters have faced the rollercoaster he has. After losing his belt on the scales against Justin Gaethje (remember that drama?), and then dropping the actual title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, Oliveira bounced back with a decisive win over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289.
But here’s where things get complicated. His scheduled fight with Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 fell through due to a cut suffered in training. That missed opportunity has left “Do Bronx” in title shot purgatory.
The question on everyone’s mind: Is one win enough to warrant another title shot against the dominant Makhachev?
The Lightweight Title Picture: Where Does Oliveira Fit?
The lightweight division is perhaps the UFC’s most shark-infested waters. Let’s break down the current contenders:
| Fighter | Recent Performance | Title Shot Case |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Oliveira | Win over Dariush | Former champ, 1-1 in last two |
| Arman Tsarukyan | Win over Dustin Poirier | On a 3-fight win streak |
| Dustin Poirier | Loss to Tsarukyan | 0-3 in title fights |
| Michael Chandler | Inactive (waiting for McGregor) | 1-2 in last three |
With Tsarukyan’s recent victory over Poirier, the Armenian-Russian fighter has seemingly leapfrogged Oliveira in the title contention queue. UFC CEO Dana White has all but confirmed Tsarukyan will get the next shot at Makhachev.
The Brazilian’s Path Forward
So what does this mean for Oliveira? The Brazilian has a few options on the table:
- Wait for the Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan outcome and position himself for the next shot
- Take another fight to stay active (potentially against someone like Justin Gaethje)
- Consider a move to welterweight, something he’s hinted at before
The waiting game is something Oliveira knows well. This is the same fighter who had to string together an eight-fight win streak before finally getting his title shot. Patience has been his companion throughout his UFC journey.
The Makhachev Problem: Can Anyone Solve It?
Let’s be real for a second. Islam Makhachev has looked virtually untouchable as champion. His wrestling is elite, his submission game is lethal, and his striking has improved tremendously.
When they first fought, Makhachev submitted Oliveira in the second round—a shocking result considering Oliveira holds the record for most submissions in UFC history. It was like watching a chess master get checkmated.
“The first fight with Islam, I wasn’t myself,” Oliveira told Brazilian media recently. “I made mistakes I don’t typically make. In a rematch, you’d see a different fight entirely.”
But does the UFC—and more importantly, do the fans—want to see that rematch right now? That’s the million-dollar question.
What the Fans Are Saying
I’ve been reading the comments sections and Twitter discussions. MMA fans seem split on Oliveira’s title shot worthiness:
“Charles deserves it more than anyone. Most exciting fighter in the division, former champ, and he’s got one win since losing the belt. Give him the shot!” – @MMAFanatic22
“Tsarukyan earned it. Three straight wins against killers. Oliveira needs another win.” – @UFCTalkGuy
What’s Next for the Lightweight Division?
The lightweight division never fails to deliver drama. With Makhachev likely facing Tsarukyan next, Oliveira might need to take another fight to solidify his position.
Here’s what I think happens next:
- Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan gets booked for late 2023 or early 2024
- Oliveira faces either Gaethje in a rematch or takes on Mateusz Gamrot
- The winner of that fight gets the next title opportunity
For Oliveira, it’s about staying ready. One injury to either Makhachev or Tsarukyan could open the door for him to slide right back into a title fight.
Why Oliveira Remains a Fan Favorite
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his title prospects, Oliveira remains one of the UFC’s most beloved fighters. His journey from the favelas of Brazil to UFC gold is the stuff of legend.
In a sport full of trash talk and manufactured drama, Oliveira lets his fighting do the talking. His UFC records speak volumes:
- Most submissions in UFC history (16)
- Most finishes in UFC history (20)
- Most performance bonuses among active fighters (19)
Those aren’t just numbers—they’re a testament to a fighter who comes to entertain every single time he steps into the octagon.
The Final Word: Deserving vs. Reality
Does Charles Oliveira deserve another title shot? Probably.
Will he get one without winning another fight? Probably not.
That’s the harsh reality of the fight game. In a division as stacked as lightweight, nothing is guaranteed—not even for a former champion with Oliveira’s credentials.
For now, all “Do Bronx” can do is stay ready and hope that when opportunity knocks, he’ll be prepared to answer. After all, this is the same fighter who once said: “I’m enlightened. I’m blessed. I’m the chosen one.”
Maybe that chosen path still leads back to UFC gold. We’ll just have to wait and see.
What do you