The UFC lightweight division heads into the final stretch of 2026 without a title fight on the calendar. Justin Gaethje has held the belt since June 14 but has not booked a defense, leaving Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and the rest of the top five waiting.
Oliveira sits in that queue at No. 3. The former undisputed champion also holds the BMF title and defends it against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 on Dec.12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He has already mapped out how a win could give him a title shot, including one scenario that hinges on Gaethje’s possible retirement.
Charles Oliveira Says Diego Lopes Win Earns Him Lightweight Title Shot
Tsarukyan established his claim as the top contender after beating Charles Oliveira by split decision at UFC 300. Though Dana White initially promised him the next title shot, a suspension for a post-fight fan altercation and an injury withdrawal from UFC 311 sidelined him.
Tsarukyan forced his way back into position by scoring a first-round knockout over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. After the win, White acknowledged his status, saying Tsarukyan had flipped the script and “could not be in a better position now.”
Oliveira also acknowledged that the Armenian-Russian fighter holds a stronger claim based on the rankings. Still, he argued that his massive drawing power and a fresh win over Lopes keep him in the championship mix.
“I think [Arman] fights for the title, but Charles Oliveira sells a lot. A win over Diego Lopes definitely earns me a title shot,” Oliveira said, in comments shared by La Ertevian MMA.
He then broke down the retirement path in simple terms, adding, “But there are several scenarios. If Justin retires, Charles Oliveira definitely fights for the title against Tsarukyan, the number two. If I win this fight, they’ll have fought a little earlier and I’ll have fought later. My fight will be fresher in people’s minds when they’re looking for someone to fight at the beginning of the year.”
Charles Oliveira believes a win over Diego Lopes earns him a title shot:
“I think [Arman] fights for the title, but Charles Oliveira sells a lot. A win over Diego Lopes definitely earns
me a title shot.But there are several scenarios. If Justin retires, Charles Oliveira definitely fights for the title against Tsarukyan, the number two.
If I win this fight, they’ll have fought a little earlier and I’ll have fought later. My fight will be fresher in people’s minds when they’re looking for someone to fight at the beginning of the year.”
(via @laertevianamma)
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 14, 2026
Oliveira brings a 37-11 record with 32 finishes into the cage. Lopes counters with 24 stoppages in his 28 wins, and he is actively looking for a striking war. He told Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting that he hopes Oliveira fights aggressively instead of relying on his grappling.
“I hope he does come in with that mindset, because that’s exactly what I want,” Lopes said. “I want to get in there and throw down. Let’s see who goes down first. That’s exactly what I’m looking for.”
Diego Lopes welcomes BMF-style war with Charles Oliveira at #UFC335:
“I want to get in there and throw down. Let’s see who goes down first. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. … You can be sure it’s going to be a war.”
(🎥 @guicruzzz) https://t.co/bHCpEYpSQm
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 12, 2026
Oliveira’s case depends on two things. If Gaethje stays active, Tsarukyan likely fights him first, meaning Oliveira needs a statement win to keep pace. If Gaethje retires, the company will likely book Tsarukyan against Oliveira for the vacant belt. The UFC 335 result will shape the lightweight picture heading into 2027, but Gaethje has not made his final decision yet.
Justin Gaethje’s Title Reign Freezes Lightweight Division
The 37-year-old Gaethje captured the undisputed belt with a shocking, fourth-round TKO over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. After he rejected Topuria’s rematch demands, a potential showdown with Tsarukyan stalled due to medical complications.
Gaethje suffered significant hand and left knee injuries during the Topuria fight, resulting in an 180-day medical suspension that sidelined him for the rest of the year.
He addressed his future following the extended layoff, stating, “I’m 37 years old. I’ve had 40 fights. I don’t need to fight again. This has never been about money for me. It’s about health.”
After the Arman Tsarukyan fight, Justin Gaethje still hasn’t made a decision on whether he will fight again:
“Everyone’s like ‘fight Arman’. I have injuries I need to take care of. I haven’t made a decision.
I’m 37 years old. I’ve had 40 fights. I don’t know. I don’t need to [fight again].”
(via @Flagrant2Army)
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 23, 2026
That uncertainty keeps top-ranked contenders like Charles Oliveira waiting to see how the lightweight title picture shakes out.
