Oliveira targets Gaethje rematch but coach opens door to Lopes and Tsarukyan fights first

Charles Oliveira has no next fight scheduled and has yet to open formal negotiations with the UFC, but his manager and head coach Diego Lima says the former lightweight champion wants to be back in the octagon before the end of 2026.

Oliveira only recently returned to training following the death of his longtime friend and teammate Allan Nascimento earlier this month. Lima told MMA Fighting from São Paulo that the most likely window for a return is one of the November or December numbered shows in New York and Las Vegas, though nothing is confirmed.

“He doesn’t want to be inactive for too long,” Lima said. “Obviously, if they tell us that a title shot in April is guaranteed, then of course we’ll wait. But he wants to work, so I believe that maybe in about 15 days we’ll start some negotiations.”

Oliveira’s preferred destination is a rematch with current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, whom he defeated in Arizona in 2022. Gaethje, however, is not expected to defend the title again in 2026 after already beating Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria this year, which leaves Oliveira — the reigning BMF titleholder — weighing up interim options.

Lima pointed to Arman Tsarukyan and Diego Lopes as the most compelling alternatives. Tsarukyan is set to fight Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, and Lima said the Armenian contender remains an attractive name regardless of that result. Lopes, who is moving up to lightweight after two title challenges at featherweight, drew particular enthusiasm.

“Diego Lopes is moving up, but he’s a guy who has fought for the title twice, he’s explosive, so he would be an exceptional name in the division,” Lima said. “Arman is an interesting name. Lopes, why not? He’s interesting too. He’s definitely going to sell. At the same time, we want the title. That’s our ultimate goal.”

On whether Oliveira’s BMF belt would be on the line in his next outing, Lima said the decision hinges entirely on the opponent and the financial terms. Lima named Gaethje, Lopes, and Pimblett as fighters worthy of a BMF title fight, describing a scenario where Oliveira faces Gaethje for both the BMF and lightweight belts as the ideal outcome.

“Charles’ next fight won’t necessarily be for the BMF title,” Lima said. “There are two paths: either we fight for the BMF title, which is a negotiation and a matter of the purse, or we take the fight that perhaps we need to take to get to the title shot.”