Charles Oliveira says UFC won’t let him compete in jiu-jitsu
The former lightweight champion says he isn’t free to enter jiu-jitsu tournaments and would take a UFC BJJ match before facing Diego Lopes.
Charles Oliveira says the UFC won’t let him compete in jiu-jitsu tournaments, unlike many other fighters. The Brazilian made the comments in an interview with the channel Laerte Viana na Área, less than two months before he defends the BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas.
According to the former lightweight champion, the restriction keeps him off the mats while he waits for his next fight. “I don’t get the chance to compete in other jiu-jitsu tournaments,” he said in Portuguese. “The UFC kind of bans me from that stuff. It won’t let me.”
What Oliveira said about UFC BJJ
Oliveira did not explain the reason behind the restriction and left the decision to the promotion. “That’s up to them,” he said. He did point to one option he would accept: according to Brazilian outlet Super Lutas, he would be open to competing in UFC BJJ, the UFC’s own no-gi jiu-jitsu league.
That would let him compete in jiu-jitsu again without leaving the company that holds his contract. For a fighter with his résumé, the request carries weight. According to the UFC, Oliveira is the promotion’s all-time submissions leader.
He holds a 37-11 MMA record with one no contest. He turned pro in 2008, debuted in the UFC in 2010 and won the lightweight title in 2021.
UFC fighters who have already competed in UFC BJJ
The complaint stands out because UFC BJJ has already featured fighters from the Octagon. In September, at UFC BJJ 11 in Las Vegas, UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell faced Mikey Musumeci and lost a unanimous decision.
In April, Dana White was asked about a possible matchup between Arman Tsarukyan and Musumeci in the league. The UFC CEO said he wasn’t sure that was what Tsarukyan wanted. Traffic also runs the other way: three UFC BJJ champions have their eyes on MMA, as VF Comunica reported.
The fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 335
With jiu-jitsu on hold, Oliveira is preparing to defend the BMF title against Diego Lopes at T-Mobile Arena. He hasn’t fought since March, when he beat Max Holloway by unanimous decision at UFC 326.
The win over Holloway, built on takedowns and top control, drew criticism. Last week, Oliveira said he could give up the BMF belt if the title is treated purely as a striking contest, as VF Comunica reported.
His opponent also comes from the mats. Lopes is a jiu-jitsu black belt and instructor, which makes the bout a meeting of two Brazilians with deep grappling roots.
At 37, Oliveira wants to use the fight as a springboard to another shot at the lightweight title, now held by Justin Gaethje, whom he has already pressed for an answer about his future.
Should the UFC let Charles Oliveira compete in jiu-jitsu, or should he stay focused only on MMA? Tell us in the comments.
Read more:
- Charles Oliveira ready to give up BMF belt before UFC 335
- Charles Oliveira eyes title shot, wants answers from Gaethje
- Charles Oliveira picks Carlos Prates to beat Islam Makhachev
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