Charles Oliveira calls for rematch with Justin Gaethje: 'The fight the world wants to see'

Charles Oliveira is campaigning for a rematch with Justin Gaethje following Gaethje's stunning unification victory over Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House event. The Brazilian lightweight has entered the conversation as a prime candidate for Gaethje's next title defense, joining other contenders like Arman Tsarukyan and the winner of the UFC 329 main event between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor.

Oliveira and Gaethje have unfinished business dating back to May 2022. At UFC 274, Oliveira submitted Gaethje with a rear-naked choke just 3:22 into the first round—a dominant performance. However, that victory came with a significant asterisk: Oliveira missed weight before the bout, resulting in the forfeiture of his lightweight title on the scales. The circumstances remain contentious in Oliveira's mind.

In an interview with Brazilian journalist Laerte Viana, Oliveira made his case directly. "The world knows what happened in our first fight when there was the 'scale robbery case.' I got the submission win but got my title stripped," he said. "Gaethje also said he suffered an accident before the fight, so let's make that rematch. That's the fight the world wants to see." With Gaethje now holding unified gold, a rematch could provide Oliveira with the opportunity to reclaim the title under circumstances without controversy.