The BMF championship will be on the line when Charles Oliveira meets Diego Lopes in the headline bout of UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The UFC has confirmed the all-Brazilian showdown, setting up a five-round lightweight contest between two of the promotion’s most accomplished and dangerous finishers. Oliveira will enter the event as the reigning BMF champion, while Lopes will make his move to the lightweight division with an opportunity to capture the title in his first UFC fight at 155 pounds.
Oliveira secured the BMF belt earlier this year after defeating former featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 326. The Brazilian earned a unanimous decision after five rounds, relying heavily on his grappling, pressure and ability to control the fight on the ground.
That victory added another achievement to an already remarkable UFC career. Oliveira previously held the undisputed lightweight championship and has built a reputation as one of the greatest submission specialists in promotional history. His record includes numerous UFC finishes and submission victories, making him a particularly difficult opponent once a fight reaches the mat.
Lopes will present a different kind of challenge. The Brazilian has spent most of his UFC career competing at featherweight and has established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous contenders.
The 145-pound fighter has twice challenged Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight championship but was unable to capture the title. Despite those defeats, Lopes has continued to remain among the division’s top names and has collected several impressive victories.
His recent performances have further strengthened his reputation as a finishing threat. Lopes recorded a second-round knockout victory over Steve Garcia in his latest outing, adding another stoppage to an already impressive UFC résumé.
His jump to lightweight now brings an immediate test against one of the most experienced fighters in the promotion. Rather than taking a series of introductory bouts at 155 pounds, Lopes will make his divisional debut in a championship main event.
The clash also offers an intriguing stylistic battle. Oliveira is particularly dangerous in the grappling exchanges, where his submission skills can change the outcome of a fight almost instantly. Lopes, meanwhile, has shown that he possesses the power and aggression needed to hurt opponents on the feet while also being capable of creating dangerous moments on the ground.
UFC 335 will feature several other major names. The co-main event is scheduled to see former two-division champion Alex Pereira take on Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight contest.
Pereira will be looking to rebound after his previous heavyweight defeat against Ciryl Gane. Pavlovich, meanwhile, enters the matchup after putting together a three-fight winning streak, including a knockout victory over Tallison Teixeira.
Bo Nickal and Joe Pyfer are also scheduled to compete on the card, adding further depth to the UFC 335 lineup.
For Oliveira, defending the BMF championship represents another chance to strengthen his legacy. The former lightweight champion has remained one of the division’s most recognizable figures and continues to pursue opportunities against the biggest names available.
Lopes has even more to gain. A victory over Oliveira in his first UFC lightweight appearance would immediately make him a major contender at 155 pounds. Capturing the BMF title at the same time would give him one of the biggest accomplishments of his UFC career.
The December showdown therefore carries significance beyond the championship itself. Oliveira will attempt to prove that he can remain at the top against a younger and dangerous challenger, while Lopes will look to make an immediate impact in a new weight class.
With two aggressive Brazilian fighters sharing the Octagon, UFC 335’s main event is expected to deliver a high-level contest filled with striking exchanges, grappling battles and potential finishing opportunities.
When Oliveira and Lopes meet in Las Vegas on December 12, the BMF championship will be at stake, along with the chance for either fighter to make a major statement heading into the next chapter of the lightweight division.
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