Oliveira Pushes for Gaethje Rematch to Unify 155-Pound and BMF Belts

Q: Will Oliveira's 'unfinished business' claim leapfrog the contender who just beat him for a title shot?

Yes—Oliveira has a real chance to jump the line, even though Arman Tsarukyan is the cleaner sporting choice on paper. Tsarukyan’s case is stronger in merit terms. He beat Oliveira, is on a three-fight win streak, and is widely viewed as the obvious No. 1 contender at lightweight. If the UFC followed a strict results-based order, Tsarukyan would be next. But title shots in the UFC are often shaped by timing, marketability and the champion’s preferences. Oliveira is pushing a ready-made storyline: he submitted Gaethje at UFC 274, lost the belt on the scale rather than in the cage, and can credibly sell the rematch as unresolved. He also now holds the BMF belt after beating Max Holloway, which gives the UFC an extra promotional hook. Gaethje’s stance matters too. He has already dismissed an immediate Topuria rematch and has shown little enthusiasm for Tsarukyan, while suggesting he may not fight again until early 2027. That delay makes the title picture more political than linear. Oliveira has said he is willing to wait, which strengthens his position if the UFC wants a bigger event next year. Tsarukyan also carries some uncertainty because of his uneven relationship with the UFC, including the fallout from a previous title opportunity that fell through. That does not erase his claim, but it can weaken his leverage. So Oliveira’s “unfinished business” argument is not stronger competitively than Tsarukyan’s. It is stronger commercially—and that may be enough.

Q: Could a risky $1 million bet disqualify the top lightweight contender from his UFC title dream?

Yes—potentially, but only if the UFC or regulators decide Arman Tsarukyan’s $1 million wager violated policy. Tsarukyan is one of the leading lightweight contenders, alongside Charles Oliveira and the winner of Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor. But the added reporting says Tsarukyan placed a $1 million bet on Justin Gaethje to beat Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. That matters because UFC athletes are generally restricted from betting in ways that could raise integrity concerns, and the report notes the wager could violate the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy. There is no indication yet that Tsarukyan has been formally punished or removed from title contention. So, at this stage, the bet does not automatically disqualify him from a championship opportunity. The risk is that an investigation or disciplinary action could damage his standing just as the lightweight title picture is opening up. That uncertainty helps Oliveira’s push. Oliveira is publicly lobbying for an immediate rematch with Gaethje, arguing their 2022 fight left “unfinished business.” Gaethje, meanwhile, has ruled out an immediate rematch with Topuria and may not fight again in 2026 because of medical suspension and activity concerns. So the short answer is that the bet could hurt Tsarukyan’s title dream if it is judged to be a rules breach, but there is no confirmed disqualification at this point. Until the UFC acts, he remains a contender—just one carrying avoidable risk.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 24

Oliveira said he wants the next shot at Justin Gaethje after Gaethje won the undisputed lightweight title on June 14, arguing a unification bout with his BMF belt should happen next.
The Brazilian tied the rematch to their 2022 Arizona fight, when he was stripped for weighing in 0.5 pounds over the limit but still submitted Gaethje after insisting he had made weight the night before.
Oliveira said his team planned talks with UFC officials this week and that he is waiting for a call, while adding he would fight Gaethje in Brazil or anywhere else for the title.
Gaethje has said there is only a very small chance he fights again in 2026 after two wins this year, leaving Oliveira open to waiting until 2027 for a title-and-BMF unification bout.