Next challenger for the UFC lightweight belt UFC, Arman Tsarukyan stated that, if he wins the title of Islam MakhachevI would like to have a rematch with Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira.
The Georgian and the Brazilian faced each other in April this year, on the main card of the historic UFC 300. Tsarukyan had slight dominance in the first two rounds, but suffered a submission attempt in the last. Without giving in, he ended up winning by split decision from the judges.
“When I become champion, I would like to fight Charles Oliveira. Our first fight was very balanced and I would like to finish him”, he declared, in an interview with TNT Sports.
The victory over Oliveira was what put Arman in a position to challenge Makhachev’s belt — he overtook the Brazilian in the lightweight rankings.
The fight hasn’t happened yet because Islam suffered a partial rupture of the ligament in one of his hands; his name was the most speculated for the main fight of UFC 308, which took place in Abu Dhabi, on October 26th.
After the recovery time has passed, the fight between Makhachev and Tsarukyan is scheduled for the beginning of 2025, but there is still no official confirmation.
Charles do Bronx x Arman Tsarukyan
After Charles’ dominant victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 309, he is back in line for a lightweight title shot, but he will have to wait for the clash between Tsarukyan and Makhachev to take place.
The rematch with the Georgian, in fact, will depend on the result of this dispute, as the Brazilian wants to have the chance to fight for the belt, regardless of who owns it.
In other words, if Tsarukyan really defeats Makhachev, he will have the chance to have his long-awaited rematch with Charles do Bronx, who was already division champion between 2021 and 2022.