UFC stars push for marquee fights as UFC 329 approaches

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is campaigning for a rematch with the newly crowned champion, Justin Gaethje, and is willing to put his symbolic BMF title on the line for a winner-takes-all unification bout. Oliveira's push comes as the UFC's lightweight division charts its course following Gaethje's recent title victory.

Oliveira stated he is waiting for a call from the UFC to make the fight happen. He emphasized the history between them, referencing their first encounter at UFC 274 in May 2022. In that fight, Oliveira submitted Gaethje in the first round but was stripped of the lightweight title after missing weight by half a pound, making him ineligible to reclaim the belt. Oliveira noted that fight took place in Gaethje's home territory of Phoenix and suggested a potential rematch could be held in Brazil, where he last fought in 2025.

The former champion's path back to a title shot faces competition. Top contender Arman Tsarukyan is also seen as a fresh challenge for Gaethje. Furthermore, Oliveira suffered a first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria last year, which may factor into the UFC's decision-making. Gaethje has previously indicated he is not...