Charles Oliveira Defends BMF Belt at UFC 335 Against Diego Lopes and Alex Pereira Returns for Heavyweight Matchup

Charles Oliveira vs Diego Lopes is set to headline UFC 335 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Alex Pereira featured in the co-main event.

Charles Oliveira Defends BMF Belt at UFC 335 Against Diego Lopes and Alex Pereira Returns for Heavyweight Matchup

Diego Lopes, Charles Oliveira and Alex Pereira will fight at UFC 335 (Image via UFC.com/BBC/MMA Fighting)

UFC 335 is set to occur in December as the final numbered UFC card of the year. Early rumors suggested that Sean Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov would headline the event. Instead, fan-favorites such as Charles Oliveira, Diego Lopes, and Alex Pereira will headline UFC 335 in Las Vegas.

Oliveira vs Lopes will headline the event with the BMF title on the line. Meanwhile, ‘Poatan’ returns after his TKO loss to Ciryl Gane to face Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event. Both fights will have five rounds.

Lopes fought at UFC Freedom 250 and defeated Steve Garcia via KO. Ever since, the fan-favorite teased a move to the lightweight division. He will now get to insert his name to the lightweight rankings if he can get past Oliveira at UFC 335.

Oliveira, on the other hand, won the BMF title at UFC 326 in a lackluster bout against Max Holloway. The veteran needs a victory at UFC 335 to continue his quest to regain the lightweight belt that he lost four years ago.

Earlier this week, Dana White revealed that he wanted 25K comments on Nina Marie Daniele’s Instagram video to announce Pereira’s next fight. Once it crossed the required count, White announced the bout on Nina Drama’s stream at UFC 332.

Pavlovich is no easy fight at heavyweight for Poatan. The Russian is on a three-fight winning streak, and a victory at UFC 335 could elevate him for a future title shot.

Ciryl Gane will defend his belt against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 in November. Pavlovich vs Pereira winner or someone like Alexander Volkov could fight the winner next depending on their performances. The heavyweight division is finally moving again after Tom Aspinall’s unfortunate injury.

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Charles Oliveira is excited for UFC 335 matchup against Diego Lopes

Most fans and analyst thought Charles Oliveira’s career would go downhill once he lost to Ilia Topuria via knockout at UFC 317. However, the Brazilian proved everyone wrong with two statement performances against Mateusz Gamrot and Max Holloway.

Diego Lopes vs Charles Oliveira
Diego Lopes vs Charles Oliveira (Image via UFC.com/Bloody Elbow)

UFC 335 is Oliveira’s second main event bout of the year. ‘Do Bronx’ is excited for the upcoming title defense and had a special message for his fans.

The champion has a name. He is very hungry. Let’s pack the arena, let’s pack the weigh-in, let’s shout our name up there. One hundred percent, we are together.

Charles Oliveira said

Earlier, Oliveira wanted to fight new champion Justin Gaethje in a title rematch. However, it seems like Arman Tsarukyan will get long-awaited title shot next. As such, the stakes are much higher for Oliveira to come out on top at UFC 335 to keep his title hopes alive.

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Featured bout of UFC 335 revealed by commentator after UFC 332 concludes

After Natalia Silva defeated Wang Cong in the main event of UFC 332, commentator Jon Anik revealed another addition to UFC 335 set for December.

Bo Nickal takes on Joe Pyfer at UFC 335
Bo Nickal takes on Joe Pyfer at UFC 335 (Image via X/UFC.com)

American middleweights, Joe Pyfer and Bo Nickal, will collide at UFC 335 as the featured bout of the card. Joe Rogan liked the matchup whereas Daniel Cormier felt it was a big step up for Nickal and that he needed to bring his A-game.

Pyfer is coming off an impressive TKO win over Israel Adesanya earlier this year. He is on a four-fight winning run and remains the dark horse of the middleweight division.

Meanwhile, Nickal is coming off a TKO win over Kyle Daukus at UFC Freedom 250. The decorated college wrestler will face the biggest challenge of his career against a ranked opponent in Pyfer this December.

The promotion will likely announce more fights in the coming weeks. The stakes are high come December when UFC 335 headlines the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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