The combat sports world received an intriguing development when former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira revealed he hasn't completely closed the door on a return to featherweight, the division where his UFC journey began over a decade ago. Speaking during a fan Q&A session in Brazil, "Do Bronx" suggested that under the right circumstances—particularly for a title fight or a legacy-defining bout with Conor McGregor—he would consider cutting the additional 10 pounds to compete at 145 pounds once again.

The News

During a Thursday night Q&A session with Brazilian fans, Oliveira addressed questions about his future weight class plans while preparing for his upcoming BMF title fight against Max Holloway at UFC 326 on March 7. The 36-year-old Brazilian revealed that despite his current focus on the lightweight division, he occasionally considers approaching UFC management about a return to featherweight.

"Sometimes I think about talking to the bosses and dropping to 145, but I don't know if I can make 145 anymore," Oliveira stated. "I don't know… I think moving up to 170 would be easier. I'm not sure I can make 145 anymore. If there were a fight with Conor McGregor, something good for my legacy and my story, that would be cool, but the full focus right now is lightweight."

The former lightweight champion elaborated on a potential scenario where he could pursue titles across multiple weight classes: "I win the [BMF] belt now, I fight for the [lightweight] title at the end of the year, then I give up both titles and drop to 145 to fight for that belt. But I don't know if I was dreaming or just going crazy."

Oliveira revealed that his weight fluctuates significantly between fights, reaching as high as 185 pounds a month after competing at lightweight. However, he expressed confidence that with "three or four months" of preparation, he could successfully make the featherweight limit again.

The Context

Charles Oliveira's relationship with the featherweight division is complex and historically significant. The Brazilian began his UFC career at 145 pounds but was eventually forced to move up to lightweight due to repeated weight-cutting failures that became a defining narrative of his early career.

Between 2010 and 2017, Oliveira missed weight multiple times at featherweight, creating a reputation as an unreliable competitor when it came to making championship weight. These struggles culminated in his eventual permanent move to lightweight, where he would ultimately find his greatest success.

The transition to 155 pounds proved transformative for Oliveira's career trajectory. After moving up permanently, he embarked on one of the most impressive winning streaks in UFC history, capturing the lightweight championship and defending it successfully. His reign included memorable victories over top contenders and established him as one of the most dangerous submission artists in the sport.

Oliveira's upcoming opponent, Max Holloway, represents a fascinating full-circle moment in this narrative. The two fighters previously met at featherweight a decade ago, with both men having since evolved into championship-caliber athletes. Their rematch at UFC 326 for the BMF title adds another layer to Oliveira's potential future plans.

The mention of Conor McGregor as a potential opponent for a featherweight return is particularly noteworthy. McGregor, the former featherweight and lightweight champion, has been linked to various comeback scenarios, and a fight with Oliveira would represent a massive pay-per-view draw while offering both fighters a chance to add to their legacies.

The Analysis

Oliveira's comments reveal several important aspects of his current mindset and career planning. First, his acknowledgment that moving up to welterweight would be "easier" demonstrates his realistic assessment of his physical development over the years. At 36, Oliveira has naturally filled out his frame, making dramatic weight cuts increasingly challenging.

The strategic thinking behind his potential multi-division title pursuit reflects the modern UFC landscape, where fighters increasingly seek to maximize their earning potential and legacy through championship reigns across multiple weight classes. Fighters like Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo have successfully executed similar strategies, though each case presented unique challenges.

From a physiological standpoint, Oliveira's assertion that he reaches 185 pounds between fights indicates significant weight fluctuations that could make a return to 145 pounds extremely demanding. The 40-pound cut from his walking weight to featherweight would require extraordinary discipline and potentially compromise his performance and health.

However, Oliveira's track record of successful weight management at lightweight suggests he possesses the discipline and team support necessary for such an undertaking. His confidence in making the cut with adequate preparation time indicates he's given serious thought to the logistics involved.

The timing of these comments, coming before his BMF title fight with Holloway, also suggests strategic positioning. By keeping multiple options open, Oliveira maintains leverage in future negotiations while building anticipation for potential superfights.

The Implications

For Charles Oliveira, a successful return to featherweight would represent the ultimate redemption story. After being forced out of the division due to weight-cutting failures, returning as a champion would complete one of the most compelling character arcs in modern MMA. It would also position him among the elite multi-division champions in UFC history.

The featherweight division itself would benefit enormously from Oliveira's presence. Current champion Ilia Topuria has established himself as a dominant force, but adding a proven commodity like Oliveira to the title picture would create immediate marquee matchmaking opportunities and elevated interest in the division.

For the UFC, Oliveira's potential return to featherweight represents significant commercial opportunities. A title fight between Oliveira and Topuria would likely generate substantial pay-per-view interest, while the possibility of an Oliveira-McGregor featherweight bout could break viewership records.

The lightweight division would face the loss of one of its most compelling contenders if Oliveira successfully transitions back down. However, the 155-pound weight class remains stacked with talent, and Oliveira's departure would create opportunities for other fighters to ascend the rankings.

From a broader sport perspective, Oliveira's potential weight class change reflects the evolving nature of modern MMA, where fighters increasingly view divisions as fluid rather than permanent homes. This trend toward multi-divisional competition has created more dynamic matchmaking possibilities but also raised questions about title continuity and divisional integrity.

Max Holloway's role in this narrative cannot be understated. As Oliveira's upcoming opponent and a former featherweight champion himself, Holloway represents a bridge between Oliveira's past and potential future. Their BMF title fight could influence Oliveira's ultimate decision about pursuing multiple divisions.

What to Watch

The immediate focus remains on UFC 326, where Oliveira's performance against Holloway will significantly impact his future options. A dominant victory would strengthen his position for lightweight title contention while also demonstrating the form that could make a featherweight return viable.

Following the Holloway fight, several scenarios could unfold. If Oliveira wins impressively, he's likely to receive a lightweight title shot against the winner of the anticipated Topuria vs. Gaethje bout. Success in that fight would then position him to potentially pursue the ambitious multi-division championship strategy he outlined.

The featherweight division's development will also influence Oliveira's decision-making. Topuria's next title defense and the emergence of new contenders will determine the landscape Oliveira might enter. A dominant Topuria reign could make the division less appealing, while a changing of the guard might create more attractive opportunities.

Conor McGregor's return timeline and weight class choice will be crucial factors. If McGregor commits to a featherweight comeback, it could accelerate Oliveira's decision-making process, given the massive financial incentives such a fight would provide.

The UFC's willingness to accommodate Oliveira's multi-division ambitions will also be telling. The promotion has historically supported fighters pursuing multiple titles, but the logistics of coordinating championship fights across divisions requires careful planning and negotiation.

Health considerations will ultimately prove decisive. At 36, Oliveira must weigh the physical toll of extreme weight cutting against the potential rewards. His team's medical assessment of his ability to safely make 145 pounds will likely determine whether these plans remain dreams or become reality.

The broader implications for divisional rankings and title shot queues will also factor into the UFC's decision-making. Allowing established champions to move between divisions can disrupt carefully planned matchmaking timelines and create challenges for other deserving contenders.

As Oliveira prepares for his BMF title fight with Holloway, his comments have added an intriguing subplot to an already compelling matchup. Whether his featherweight return remains a distant dream or becomes a concrete plan will depend on the outcomes of several upcoming fights and the complex calculations that drive modern MMA career decisions.

The possibility of Charles Oliveira returning to featherweight represents more than just a weight class change—it embodies the redemption narratives and multi-dimensional career paths that have come to define elite-level mixed martial arts competition. As the sport continues evolving, Oliveira's potential journey back to 145 pounds could become one of its most compelling storylines.