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Charles Oliveira’s coach names opponents worthy of BMF title fights, and why Arman Tsarukyan isn’t one

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Charles Oliveira’s coach names opponents worthy of BMF title fights, and why Arman Tsarukyan isn’t one

SAO PAULO — Charles Oliveira has “absolutely nothing scheduled†right now in the UFC in terms of a next fight and hasn't started discussions with the UFC brass, his manager and head coach Diego Lima told MMA Fighting. However, that doesn't mean he's not planning to fight soon.

The former UFC lightweight champion and current BMF titleholder has just returned to training after the death of his longtime friend and teammate Allan Nascimento earlier this month, and his goal is to fight before the end of 2026. The most logical next step would be competing on the November or December numbered shows in New York and Las Vegas, respectively, but it's still up in the air.

“He doesn't want to be inactive for too long,†Lima said. “Obviously, if they tell us that a title shot in April is guaranteed, then of course we'll wait. But he wants to work, so I believe that maybe in about 15 days we'll start some negotiations.â€

Oliveira wants to face Justin Gaethje for the 155-pound championship next, having beat the current champion in Arizona back in 2022, but “Highlight†isn't expected to defend his title again in 2026 before defeating Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria earlier this year.

If “do Bronx†decides to enter the octagon in the coming months, Lima has ideas for opponents.

“Arman [Tsarukyan], regardless of the outcome [of his UFC 331 clash with Mauricio Ruffy], is a strong name, so he's a very interesting option,†Lima said. “Diego Lopes is moving up [now], but he's a guy who has fought for the title twice, he's a guy who sells well, he's explosive, so he would be an exceptional name in the division. Why not? ‘Oh, but it doesn't make sense, it would be his first fight in the division?' Man, you have to understand that these are fights that take us somewhere. There's no point in thinking about fighting a guy who is very important, but doesn't sell and doesn't take us anywhere.

“Arman is an interesting name. Lopes, why not? He's interesting too. He's moving up, he's fought for the title twice. He's an aggressive fighter. He's definitely going to sell. At the same time, we want the title. That's our ultimate goal. The title. We'll wait. Otherwise, we want to work. And some fights pay more, some fights pay less. We weigh everything up.â€

Lima said it's yet-to-be-decided if Oliveira's BMF belt will be on the line the next time he enters the octagon, and the deciding factor is the opponent.

“Charles' next fight won't necessarily be for the BMF title,†Lima said. “There are two paths: either we fight for the BMF title, which is a negotiation and a matter of the purse, or we take the fight that perhaps we need to take to get to the title shot.â€

Lima names Gaethje, Lopes and Pimblett worthy of a BMF title bouts, mentioning a “perfect†scenario where “Do Bronx†clashes with Gaethje for the BMF, lightweight and White House belts.

“I'm not going to tell you that Arman doesn't sell because that's not what I mean, but to fight for the BMF title, the athlete has to have a very strong media appeal,†Lima said. “The BMF isn't about being the toughest guy, it's about having major media appeal. That's the reality. If we take an athlete who has a huge media following, then the fight is for the BMF title. If there isn't that kind of media appeal, then it's not for the BMF title.â€

Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy at UFC 331 was a fight that caught fans by surprise for the Sept. 19 show in Los Angeles, while many expected Oliveira to be rematching Tsarukyan instead. However, Lima said that was never negotiated with the UFC.

Tsarukyan won a close split decision against Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024, but the Chute Boxe leader still thinks he has more “appeal†for a fight with Gaethje after beating Max Holloway and Mateusz Gamrot in his most recent appearances.

“In my opinion, and I think it's the public's opinion as well, Charles has a history with Gaethje, so he would be the more marketable name,†Lima said. “We know that, financially speaking, he's the best name for Gaethje to fight. But we also know that Arman is up there. Those would perhaps be the two names where a fight between them would guarantee a title shot, for example.â€

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MMA

Vertigo delays Alvin Hines pursuit of first UFC victory

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Vertigo delays Alvin Hines' pursuit of first UFC victory
Alvin
Hines' pursuit of his first win in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship has been delayed.

Hines was scheduled to face Gabriel
Lourenco in a heavyweight bout at
UFC Fight Night 293 on Nov. 7 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
However, Hines has announced his withdrawal from the fight because
of vertigo.

Alvin Hines withdraws from UFC Fight Night 293 against Gabriel
Lourenco

Hines plans to continue training with adjustments while recovering
from vertigo and hopes to return to competition at full
strength.

“I had to pull out of this one for medical reasons due to vertigo,â€
Hines wrote on Instagram. “It wasn't an easy decision, but I know I
need to be able to step into that Octagon at 100% and perform to my
true potential. I'm going to continue fight camp with some
adjustments while I work through this and get myself back to where
I need to be. I'm not walking away from the fight. I'm taking the
time to get right so when I'm back in there, I can put on the kind
of fight I know I'm capable of. I'm sorry for the change, and I
appreciate everyone who was looking forward to seeing me compete.
Trust me, I'll be back. Sometimes the hardest part of fighting
isn't throwing punches. It's knowing when to step back, get right,
and prepare for the next battle. This is just a setback. Not the
end of the story.â€

Hines (7-2) was an undefeated prospect with six finishes in seven
victories when he signed with the UFC last year. However, “Goozieâ€
has lost both of his Octagon appearances. Meanwhile, Lourenco (8-1)
was slated to make his promotional debut against Hines after
earning a contract with a first-round knockout victory over Charlie
Cleveland on
Dana White's Contender Series in September.

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Christian Leroy Duncan's coach reveals they asked for Brendan Allen ahead of UFC Vegas 122: 'The top of Christian’s list'

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Christian Leroy Duncan's coach reveals they asked for Brendan Allen ahead of UFC Vegas 122: 'The top of Christian’s list'

Christian Leroy Duncan is set to headline UFC Vegas 122 against Brendan Allen on Saturday.

Duncan has been on a roll as he's won five straight fights and is now set for his first UFC main event. However, he is fighting ahead of him in the rankings, and Duncan enters the bout as a +108 underdog on FanDuel.

Although Duncan is the underdog, he and his team have full confidence. The confidence is shown by the fact that they asked the UFC for this matchup, as this was the fight they wanted, according to his coach Mark Weir.

“He (Allen) was at the top of Christian's list,†Weir told BloodyElbow. “Every time we fight, we send a top five list over to the UFC. The war room is on a Tuesday, so we do it literally straight away. We never expect to get the number one pick, but we ask anyway.â€

The UFC agreed with Duncan's ask and made the fight the headliner on the Fight Night card on Saturday. It's also a pivotal fight for the middleweight division as the winner will be right in the title mix.

Christian Leroy Duncan is getting what he asked for

Not only did Christian Leroy Duncan ask to fight Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 122, but he's asked for his last couple of opponent.

Duncan is coming off a decision win over Jared Cannonier, which is a fight that the Brit also asked for and got.

“If I remember rightly, I think the last three times we've asked for someone, they've been given to us. We are aiming high and there's a risk factor for everyone who's fighting but so far, Christian's done his job,†Weir added.

Duncan enters UFC Vegas 122 with a record of 15-2 and is coming off a decision win over Jared Cannonier. He's 8-2 in the UFC with notable wins over Roman Dolidze and Eryk Anders, but this fight against Allen will be his toughest test.

Do you think Christian Leroy Duncan will beat Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 122?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Court McGee at peace with UFC farewell: ‘OK is good enough for me’

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Court McGee at peace with UFC farewell: ‘OK is good enough for me’
Court
McGee is proud of his final
Ultimate Fighting Championship appearance.

McGee's final bout came against Eric Nolan
at UFC
332 on Oct. 3 in front of his home fans in Salt Lake City. He
suffered a third-round technical knockout loss after a hard-fought
battle and subsequently laid down his gloves inside the Octagon to
mark the end of his UFC career.

Court McGee reflects on his final UFC fight after 16 years in
the promotion

McGee released a statement addressing his retirement. He is proud
of his final UFC fight despite the loss. After 16 years in the UFC,
McGee said he finally took it all in leading up to his farewell
bout. “The Crusher†also paid tribute to 13 coaches and training
partners he lost along the way.

“Saturday night was my last fight in the UFC,†McGee posted on X.
“16 years. 29 fights, including my time in the Ultimate Fighter
house. One hell of a journey. I didn't get my hand raised, but I'm
incredibly proud of my performance, proud of my opponent, and
genuinely happy for him. For the first time, I was able to slow
down and truly experience it all—the weeks leading up to the fight,
fight week, the walk to the Octagon, and everyone who's been beside
me through the highs and lows. Including the 13 coaches and
training partners we've lost. RIP. I gave this sport everything I
had. Sometimes my best was great. Sometimes it was just okay.
Saturday night, I was okay—and okay is good enough for me. I'm
grateful for the wins, the losses, the lessons, the people, and
every damn moment in between. What a journey. Thank you.â€

McGee (22-15) won Season 11 of “The Ultimate Fighter†in 2010,
earning a UFC contract. He overcame addiction before beginning his
professional mixed martial arts career.

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