Charles Oliveira is simply looking for an opportunity.
With Tony Ferguson vs. Dustin Poirier off the UFC 254 card, Oliveira is looking to finally take on one of the top 5 ranked fighters and name drops Ferguson as the man that he wants to step into the octagon against:
“I am asking too much for an opportunity to fight a guy like that, who is in front of me. I think I could get into this fight (against Tony Ferguson), because this is the chance that I want for a long time. It would certainly come,” said Oliveira to AG Fight.
“He's a guy who said he wanted to fight with me, I also said I would face him. Maybe he won't be back until November, so it would be a great honor to fight him. It would be a great war to show how much I am evolving. No matter which top 5 comes, I will win. If it's Hooker in November, fine. Tony Ferguson now, it looks great too. I'll be ready. I just need an opportunity. I'm not asking for anything too much. It is my right. I deserve it.”
To the surprise of many, former Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler could end up getting a title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov, if Justin Gaethje is unable to perform next month, and despite the acclaims of the veteran, Chandler bypasses top names including Oliveira for a championship opportunity, which surely doesn’t sit well with the UFC fighter:
"I do not know what happens. I don't even want to think about it or it gives me depression. There are a lot of people who come from victories, but which one only knocks or submits? I don't leave it to the judges and I deserve this chance, but they don't give it to me. I think it's fear, respect. Do not know. Everyone in the UFC wants the belt. So there is no use hiding, an hour will happen. We will crash. I'm going to be a UFC champion, they want to not. I need to fight a guy in front of me for this"