Charles Oliveira Picks Islam Makhachev As The One Opponent He Wants To Avenge Despite Saying "He’s Moved On" From UFC Lightweight Title Loss

Islam Makhachev Hints At Career Endgame Ahead Of Next Fight© NDTV Library

Charles Oliveira may have claimed that he moved on from his rivalry with Islam Makhachev, but his latest comments suggest otherwise. The former UFC lightweight champion was recently asked to name the one opponent he would want to avenge if given a chance to choose a rematch. Oliveira initially appeared confused and mentioned multiple fighters, including Islam Makhachev. However, when it came down to choosing just one name, the Brazilian picked the current UFC welterweight champion, bringing his painful UFC title defeat into focus.

Charles Oliveira Picks Islam Makhachev Over Arman Tsarukyan And Ilia Topuria

Initially talking about the question, Oliveira seemed confused and gave his top three names which were Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria but when it came down to choosing just one opponent, the Brazilian picked Makhachev, suggesting that his defeat still holds a special place in his mind.

Oliveira has suffered several disappointing defeats throughout his MMA career, but his loss to Makhachev at UFC 280 remains one of the most significant. The two fighters competed for the vacant lightweight championship, four years ago in October after Oliveira was stripped of the title for missing weight ahead of his previous fight against Justin Gaethje.

Makhachev dominated the contest and eventually submitted the Brazilian in the second round to become the new lightweight champion. It was a tough night for Do Bronx, who had entered the contest on an impressive 11-fight winning streak.

Oliveira never really accepted that performance as a true representation of his abilities. He previously said that the version of himself who faced Makhachev was not the fighter he knew himself to be.

The Brazilian is yet to settle scores with Tsarukyan, who defeated him via split decision at UFC 300 in April 2024. His defeat against Topuria came at UFC 317 in June 2025, when the Georgian-Spanish fighter stopped him in the first round to capture the vacant lightweight title.

Oliveira Previously Claimed He Had Moved On From Makhachev Rivalry

Oliveira had given a completely different impression when discussing a potential rematch with Makhachev ahead of UFC 317.

Speaking to CBS Sports in June 2025, the Brazilian made it clear that he was no longer chasing the Russian, especially after Makhachev vacated the lightweight championship to pursue a second title at welterweight.

“I have nothing against him. I'm not looking to fight him again,” Oliveira told CBS Sports through an interpreter. “I want to fight for the belt and he doesn't have it right now.”

At the time, Oliveira was preparing to face Topuria for the vacant lightweight championship. He wanted to reclaim the title rather than focus on settling an old score with Makhachev.

His latest answer, however, tells a slightly different story. Oliveira might have accepted that he does not need Makhachev to move forward with his career, but the desire to avenge that defeat still remains.