BMF Champion Charles Oliveira (37-11, 1 NC) addressed Nate Diaz’s callout, making it clear that he is more interested in a title shot with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Following his unanimous decision victory over Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March—a performance that saw him capture the BMF Title—Oliveira is eying a lightweight title return. This would be a rematch of UFC 317 last July where Topuria stopped Oliveira in the first round to win the vacant lightweight title.
Diaz recently said he would “beat the f*****g s**t” out of Oliveira.” Oliveira dismissed the personal shots, signaling that he isn’t interested in fighting him. Oliveira confirmed he is willing to serve as the official backup fighter for Topuria vs. Gaethje which takes place on June 14 at the Freedom 250 White House card. The target is to face Ilia next if he wins provided Topuria stays at lightweight rather than move up to welterweight to chase a second belt against Islam Makhachev.
“I’m going after the title. I want to become champion again, but I think nobody is naive, everyone is doing the math. The belt will be unified in June. I could be a backup for the fight. But I stay focused on training, make weight, and when I get there, there’s no fight [for me]. I think that if Topuria wins, he moves up a division and the belt becomes vacant. Regardless of whether it becomes vacant or not, I’m next in line. And then imagine the UFC says, July or August, let’s make a fight for you against this or that,” Oliveira said