Charles Oliveira undoubtedly expects a title shot if he gets past Arman Tsarukyan.
Former lightweight champion Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) meets Tsarukyan (21-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) at UFC 300 on April 13 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims expected for ESPN and ESPN+.
Oliveira was scheduled to rematch lightweight champion Islam Makhachev this past October at UFC 294, but withdrew due to a cut. Then Makhachev suffered an injury of his own, further delaying their fight. Now, Oliveira has been matched up with Tsarukyan, who’s also coming off a first-round finish of Beneil Dariush.
“I’m ready to go. I’m ready to go for this fight, very excited,” Oliveira told ESPN. “It’s not a matter of can, it’s a matter of will. We know it’s going to happen. I am the next one in line for the title. Islam hurt himself last time, but I’m ready. Let’s make this happen.”
UFC CEO Dana White declared the fight as a No. 1 contender bout when he made the announcement, which further validates Oliveira’s claim. “Do Bronx’s” lone loss since 2017 came to Makhachev in their vacant title fight at UFC 280.
“It’s always important for us,” Oliveira said. “I’m the next one in line. You can’t deny this. But hear it from the boss? So much better.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.
Charles Oliveira confident he secures title shot with win at UFC 300: ‘You can’t deny this’