Charles Oliveira is gearing up for a highly anticipated return to the Octagon this weekend, as he aims to compete in the biggest fights possible. Following his recent knockout loss in the main event of UFC 317, many fans expressed concerns about Oliveira stepping back into the ring so soon. However, for the Brazilian fighter, the primary motivation to return is the chance to fight in Brazil for the first time in five years, creating a unique and exciting atmosphere for both him and his supporters.
This weekend, Oliveira will face off against Mateusz Gamrot, who is stepping in as a replacement opponent. This matchup presents a crucial opportunity for the former lightweight champion to rebound from his recent defeat and secure a significant victory in front of his home crowd. The stakes are high as Oliveira looks to reclaim his elite status in the lightweight division.
Recent statements made by Oliveira regarding his future in the sport have sparked confusion among fans, particularly in relation to his retirement plans. At 35 years old, Oliveira asserts that he does not intend to retire anytime soon, as he believes he still has much to contribute to mixed martial arts.
In an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri, Oliveira was asked about his goals after fighting in his home country. He expressed his ambitions succinctly: “Winning this fight and fighting for a title, whether it’s the BMF or the title of the division,” he said. “This is a great fight which will propel me towards a title.”
However, a translation issue arose when Oliveira was asked about a potential matchup with Max Holloway for the BMF title. The translator suggested that Oliveira stated he wanted this to be his retirement bout, which contradicted his earlier comments. Others clarified that Oliveira actually intended to convey that this was his desired next fight, aligning with his previous statements about not being ready to retire.
After recently defending his BMF title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318, Max Holloway has found himself in a complicated situation regarding his return to the ring. Many fans are eager to see a rematch between Holloway and Oliveira, stemming from their first encounter in 2015, which remains a highly anticipated fight in the MMA community.
Despite the call for Oliveira to be his next challenger, Holloway revealed on his YouTube channel that he does not foresee fighting again until 2025 due to a hand injury. “If you have hopes of me fighting before the end of the year, it’s probably not gonna happen,” he said, expressing his frustration with the injury that has delayed his fighting schedule. “What’s next, I couldn’t tell you, this stupid injury has pushed things back,” Holloway added, leaving fans uncertain about his future in the sport.
As Charles Oliveira prepares for his pivotal fight this Saturday, all eyes will be on him as he looks to make a statement and solidify his place in the lightweight division while navigating the complexities of potential future matchups.
