REPORT: Charles Oliveira set to defend BMF title in UFC 331 headliner

Reports are circulating that BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira will headline UFC 331 in Los Angeles in his first title defense.

BMF champion Charles Oliveira is on the cusp of potentially earning another UFC lightweight title shot after defeating Max Holloway earlier this year at UFC 326. After getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria last year at UFC 317, Oliveira has bounced back nicely with wins over Mateusz Gamrot and Holloway.

After Justin Gaethje pulled off the monumental upset against Topuria last month at UFC Freedom 250, the door is wide open for several top contenders to make cases for a title shot. Oliveira could potentially secure a rematch against Gaethje after defeating him earlier in their careers at UFC 274.

According to a recent report, Oliveira will face a familiar foe at the UFC’s upcoming event in Los Angeles.

REPORT: Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 in the works for UFC 331

As reported by Red Fury MMA, Oliveira is in talks to face top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 331 main event on September 19th. Tsarukyan returns to the Octagon after a recent win over Dan Hooker after his short-notice withdrawal from his UFC 311 title fight booking.

Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira in an instant classic matchup at UFC 300 by split decision. He went on to withdraw from his scheduled UFC 311 matchup with Islam Makhachev just hours before the official weigh-in.

Tsarukyan has been waiting for another lightweight title shot for months since his last fight against Hooker. He hasn’t lost since a unanimous defeat to Mateusz Gamrot in June 2022 and is riding a five-fight win streak.

As of this writing, only two bouts have been announced for UFC 331, including a middleweight matchup between UFC 329 star Ryan Gandra and Ozzy Diaz. Bantamweights Marlon Vera and Charles Jourdain will also battle it out at the event.

What is your prediction for a potential Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan rematch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!