Charles Oliveira has joined a growing list of fighters calling out Paddy Pimblett following his loss at UFC 324.
Pimblett stepped into the octagon against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight belt, and while he didn’t come away with the win, the match itself was anything but disappointing.
The two lightweights delivered a Fight of the Year contender, and fans couldn’t have asked for much more from either man. Despite putting on an entertaining performance, Pimblett found himself on the wrong side of a unanimous decision. The defeat has since sparked plenty of criticism from within the MMA community.
Charles Oliveira has little interest in Pimblett fight
Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker were all quick to chime in after UFC 324.
The four of them didn’t waste any time mocking Pimblett following his first loss since joining the UFC in 2021.
Now, Charles Oliveira has weighed in on how the English fighter performed last weekend.
The former lightweight champion also made it clear he and Conor McGregor shouldn’t be considered for Paddy’s return fight.
“If Paddy had won his last fight, then yes, it would have made sense [for me to fight Paddy], especially if he had the belt,” Oliveira told CasinoBeats. “But he lost, and he’s not even ranked above me. So that fight doesn’t make sense.”
“I have to think ahead. In his last fight, honestly, he didn’t show anything; he tried to just stand and trade. I thought he’d do what he usually does: pressure, take the fight to the ground. I think everyone expected that.”
“Paddy has not earned a spot on the White House card; definitely not. Right now, the only one who really has the chance is Justin Gaethje because he won the belt. If Topuria doesn’t move up, Gaethje will want to fight at the White House so they can unify those belts together.”
“No [Paddy will not fight Conor McGregor]. As I said if Paddy had won his last fight it could have happened.”
Who will Charles Oliveira fight next?
Charles Oliveira suffered a knockout defeat against Ilia Topuria for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 in June 2025.
Four months later, ‘Do Bronx’ returned to action with a submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot.
The 36-year-old is set to face Max Holloway next, competing for the BMF belt at UFC 326 on March 7.
Back in 2015, Oliveira was met with boos and branded a ‘quitter’ after his first encounter with Holloway.
The featherweight standout won by TKO after his opponent suffered a neck injury just 99 seconds into their UFC Saskatchewan main event.
