Charles Oliveira recently expressed his belief that his competitive resume exceeds those of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, emphasizing his extensive fight history in the UFC. Known among fight fans as a veteran and former lightweight champion, Oliveira has been part of the organization for nearly 16 years, amassing numerous victories against notable opponents. His confidence grows as he prepares to challenge Max Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 326, with aspirations to face Conor McGregor should he claim the belt.
The lightweight division in the UFC has long been one of the most competitive, featuring some of the sport’s best fighters. Khabib Nurmagomedov holds a legendary status for retiring undefeated and dominating many top contenders. Islam Makhachev has carried forward this legacy by securing the lightweight title after defeating Oliveira. Despite this, Oliveira has openly compared his record with theirs, suggesting that his overall fight history deserves higher recognition.
Khabib stepped away from the game undefeated. Islam is making history as a two-division champion, but when you look at the resume, the names, the wins, the records, and what I’ve been through, I believe my resume is the best.
Charles Oliveira via UFC on Paramount
Oliveira acknowledges the undefeated status of Khabib and Islam’s achievements as a two-division champion, but highlights his own extensive victories and challenges faced throughout his career as factors that place his resume above theirs. Unlike both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev, who entered the UFC with undefeated streaks from other promotions, Oliveira began competing at just 20 years old against high-caliber opponents in the world’s most competitive environment.
This early battle experience came with a steep cost, however, resulting in 11 losses over his career and occasional inconsistency in performance. Such a record has been criticized by some when comparing legacies, but Oliveira’s supporters praise his resilience and the obstacles he has overcome—including severe myopia, which made fighting without glasses particularly difficult.
The mixed reactions to Oliveira’s legacy claims
Following Oliveira’s remarks, fan responses have been divided. Many admire his determination and long journey in the sport, especially given his sensory challenges and language barriers that required a translator. They see his story as inspirational and rooted in hard work and persistence.
Conversely, others argue that the dominance and consistency shown by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev—whose combined losses total only one—offer a stronger claim to legacy superiority in the lightweight division. Oliveira’s knockout loss to Ilia Topuria last year while pursuing another lightweight title severely affected his standing, and his current pursuit of the BMF title is viewed by some as a different trajectory than the championship path taken by Khabib and Islam.
Upcoming showdown with Max Holloway and BMF title ambitions
Charles Oliveira is set to meet Max Holloway once again at UFC 326 in a bout that will decide the BMF title holder. Their previous encounter ended with Oliveira forced to retire due to an injury, but this time he aims to reclaim victory. Oliveira has expressed confidence that he has evolved as a fighter since their last fight in 2015 and is prepared to trade striking blows if Holloway pushes the pace in the closing moments.
Claiming the BMF championship is a key objective for Oliveira, who sees the win over Holloway as a stepping stone toward re-entering the lightweight title conversation later in the year. Beyond that, he has openly stated his interest in defending the BMF belt against Conor McGregor, appreciating McGregor’s contributions to the sport and his flair for promoting fights.
I would fight him for the money. I think he’s a guy who deserves to fight for the BMF. For everything he’s done for the sport, for all of his glories, for the way he talks as well.
Charles Oliveira via Submission Radio
Potential McGregor matchup follows UFC 326
Conor McGregor is reportedly in discussions with the UFC regarding a highly anticipated comeback fight, possibly at the White House event. While McGregor currently does not have an opponent confirmed, Oliveira’s desire to face him for the BMF title positions him as a logical contender following UFC 326. Ultimately, Oliveira must secure his win over Holloway to keep his plans on track.
As Oliveira prepares for this crucial bout, the lightweight division remains as competitive as ever, with multiple fighters chasing legacy-defining achievements. Oliveira’s claim about having the best resume will continue to be a topic of intense debate among fans, analysts, and fighters alike, underscoring the dynamic and unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts.
https://twitter.com/RedCorner_MMA/status/2029388431642767457
😳🏆 Charles Oliveira wants to give Conor McGregor a shot for the BMF title if he wins it at UFC 326:
“I would fight him for the money. I think he’s a guy that deserves to fight for the BMF.
For everything he’s done for the sport, for all of his glories, for the way he talks as… pic.twitter.com/03L5uPBiMR
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) March 4, 2026
