UFC is now looking towards Charles Oliveira’s first fight as champion.
The promotion is attempting to book him against Dustin Poirier at their December 11th pay-per-view event, per a report from Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting.
The fight reportedly doesn’t have contracts signed for it but has been verbally agreed upon by both sides. Should it be finalized, the bout would join UFC 269, a card that does not have a set location at the moment.
Oliveira first gained the UFC Lightweight Championship in May, stopping former Bellator Champion Michael Chandler in the second round of action. The title win was the culmination of a nine-fight winning streak that started back in 2018.
Oliveira was fighting for a vacant belt, as the promotion was seeking a new champion following the retirement of prior champ Khabib Nurmagomedov.
If things can go as planned, Oliveira will get the chance to defend his belt for the first time late this year.
Poirier is being placed in the title position after two high-profile victories this year. He closed out a trilogy with Irish MMA star Conor McGregor this year, avenging a 2014 loss early in the year and taking the lead in their rivalry with a doctor stoppage win in July.
Both wins headlined UFC PPV events.
His three-fight winning streak also includes a five-round unanimous decision victory over Dan Hooker from 2020.
Poirier has challenged for the belt before, having lost to previous champ Nurmagomedov in 2019.
It was reported earlier this week that a fight between UFC Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes and “TUF” veteran Julianna Pena was booked for UFC 269 as well. Here is how the card looks at the moment:
Bout 4: Charles Oliveira (31-8) vs. Dustin Poirier (28-6) (UFC Lightweight Championship)
Bout 3: Amanda Nunes (21-4) vs. Julianna Pena (10-4) (UFC Bantamweight Championship)
Bout 2: Kai Kara-France (22-9) vs. Cody Garbrandt (12-4) (Flyweight)
Bout 1: Maycee Barber (9-2) vs. Montana De La Rosa (12-6-1) (Flyweight)
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