Chute Boxe head coach addresses Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes rumors
· Yahoo Sports
Charles
Oliveira's camp has shut down speculation linking the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion to a BMF
title defense against Diego
Lopes.
With Lopes making it clear that he’s looking to move up to lightweight after his knockout victory over Steve Garcia at UFC Freedom 250, rumors linking him to a fight against the BMF champ emerged. According to Chute Boxe coach and Oliveira’s manager, Diego Lima, their team’s goal remains the undisputed lightweight crown.
Lima recently broke down the lightweight title mix, revealing that current champion Justin Gaethje is expected to return to action next year. The veteran coach also acknowledged that Arman Tsarukyan, who’s beaten Oliveira, is ahead of “do Bronxs” in the pecking order at 155 pounds. However, Lima highlighted the fact that his pupil is a bigger star than Tsarukyan and, more importantly, boasts a win over Gaethje.
"Our biggest goal is the lightweight title, but obviously that doesn't depend only on us," Lima told Sherdog’s Marcelo Alonso."Gaethje is the champion and what we know is that he's expected to return in March or April of 2027, which puts us in a difficult position. Right now, we know that Arman is ahead of us. At the same time, we know Charles would sell much more, especially because he already defeated Gaethje and he's also the current BMF champion."
Lima went on to deny claims that Oliveira and Lopes were in talks for a BMF title bout.
"To be completely honest, we're not talking about that at all," Lima added. "My intention is not to touch the BMF belt right now and instead focus on fighting Gaethje for the lightweight title. Of course, depending on what the UFC wants to negotiate next, we'll evaluate it, but our objective is the undisputed lightweight championship."
Oliveira is on a two-fight win streak, in which he submitted Mateusz Gamrot and dominated Max Holloway to win the BMF title. According to the Brazilian’s team, rematches against Tsarukyan or Gaethje are the only matchups they’d entertain.
With Lopes making it clear that he’s looking to move up to lightweight after his knockout victory over Steve Garcia at UFC Freedom 250, rumors linking him to a fight against the BMF champ emerged. According to Chute Boxe coach and Oliveira’s manager, Diego Lima, their team’s goal remains the undisputed lightweight crown.
Diego Lima shuts down Oliveira vs. Lopes, eyes Justin Gaethje rematch
Lima recently broke down the lightweight title mix, revealing that current champion Justin Gaethje is expected to return to action next year. The veteran coach also acknowledged that Arman Tsarukyan, who’s beaten Oliveira, is ahead of “do Bronxs” in the pecking order at 155 pounds. However, Lima highlighted the fact that his pupil is a bigger star than Tsarukyan and, more importantly, boasts a win over Gaethje.
"Our biggest goal is the lightweight title, but obviously that doesn't depend only on us," Lima told Sherdog’s Marcelo Alonso."Gaethje is the champion and what we know is that he's expected to return in March or April of 2027, which puts us in a difficult position. Right now, we know that Arman is ahead of us. At the same time, we know Charles would sell much more, especially because he already defeated Gaethje and he's also the current BMF champion."
Lima went on to deny claims that Oliveira and Lopes were in talks for a BMF title bout.
"To be completely honest, we're not talking about that at all," Lima added. "My intention is not to touch the BMF belt right now and instead focus on fighting Gaethje for the lightweight title. Of course, depending on what the UFC wants to negotiate next, we'll evaluate it, but our objective is the undisputed lightweight championship."
Oliveira is on a two-fight win streak, in which he submitted Mateusz Gamrot and dominated Max Holloway to win the BMF title. According to the Brazilian’s team, rematches against Tsarukyan or Gaethje are the only matchups they’d entertain.
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