Analyzing UFC’s Lightweight Division after Charles Oliveira’s Win

classybuzzDecember 14, 2021

64 3 minutes read

Charles Oliveira eliminated all doubt this previous Saturday.

In the principle occasion of UFC 269, solely moments after Julianna Peña tapped out Amanda Nunes, Oliveira executed a flawless sport plan and eliminated Dustin Poirier from title rivalry.

Subsequent up for Oliveira is Justin Gaethje. Not like this previous battle towards Poirier, Oliveira won’t be an underdog in that title protection.

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After an extended, uneven UFC journey, Oliveira now stands alone as the one greatest light-weight on this planet. The blueprint for his previous two fights–profitable the vacant title towards Michael Chandler after which the profitable title protection towards Pothier–each included Oliveira getting his face smashed within the opening spherical. But his chin withstood quite a lot of vicious strikes, and he then preyed upon a drained, susceptible opponent. Oliveira’s putting was an excessive amount of for Chandler (a declare Gaethje can not make) within the second spherical. He additionally confirmed versatility towards Poirier within the second spherical, altering the trajectory of the matchup by taking the battle to the mat and carrying him out. Come spherical three, the silent murderer Oliveira struck once more, locking on a vicious standing rear-naked choke. That submission seized maintain of the battle world’s consideration, and Oliveira doesn’t intend to let go of that maintain any time quickly.

Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports activities

For Oliveira, the trail is linear. His subsequent opponent is Gaethje, one other matchup that favors the champ. The way forward for the remainder of the division, particularly the highest contenders, is just not practically as simple.

One other battle with title implications is Islam Makhachev towards Beneil Dariush, which takes place in February. If Makhachev steamrolls his well beyond Dariush, there may be each cause to consider he will probably be subsequent in line for a title shot following Gaethje. Dariush has much less of the advertising and marketing machine behind him, however he will probably be simply as deserving if he defeats Makhachev.

After all, extra goes into title pictures than merely a profitable streak. A fighter wants to attract, and there’s no extra spectacular draw than Conor McGregor.

McGregor difficult Oliveira for the belt would draw pay-per-view buys, and it could possibly be a highlight to showcase Oliveira’s brilliance. Whereas he’s little doubt essentially the most elite light-weight on this planet, Oliveira is a quiet champion. Silent, nonetheless, is just not an correct description for McGregor. The caveat is that McGregor needs to be nowhere close to a title shot. However Poirier dropping is extra luck for McGregor. There would have been every kind of criticism had McGregor jumped the road for a title shot had Poirier gained the belt (or towards Oliveira, for that matter), however now one other battle/grudge match towards Poirier places the winner again in rivalry for an additional title shot.

McGregor must also avoid Tony Ferguson. Contemplating McGregor could be a heavy favourite, that may be a harmful battle with no actual reward. A battle towards Michael Chandler could be thrilling, and certain one which McGregor would win–however the identical concern applies — why step into the Octagon towards an incredible wrestler when the reward is so minimal? That’s one other harmful battle with not practically sufficient incentive. One of the best guess for McGregor is both Poirier, Jorge Masvidal, or Nate Diaz. It’s in McGregor’s greatest pursuits to carry off on the Diaz battle just a bit longer, and a battle towards Masvidal could be an infinite draw. Masvidal–as gifted as he’s–has solely a slight probability at beating McGregor, however the construct could be monumental. It might even have some added stakes with the ceremonial BMF title on the road, and so they might maintain that battle at 155 or 170.

However change is blowing within the division. It not belongs to McGregor. Poirier tapped out earlier than he could possibly be topped. Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired, and Gaethje and Chandler watch from afar. Oliveira now sits comfortably within the throne. And whereas winter is coming, the climate is picturesque in Oliveira’s house of Guarujá again in Brazil.