Charles Oliveira says the real pound-for-pound king isn’t who you think it is.
Charles Oliveira has never managed to climb to the top of the UFC’s pound-for-pound mountain — but he’s convinced someone else deserves that coveted spot, and it’s not the name most fans would expect.
After suffering a brutal knockout loss to Ilia Topuria just over three months ago, Oliveira is stepping back into the Octagon this weekend with his trademark grit and determination. The Brazilian star will headline UFC Rio, fighting in front of a passionate home crowd in a high-stakes main event against late replacement Mateusz Gamrot. It’s a major moment for Oliveira, who’s still chasing gold while looking to prove that his story is far from over.
But before he even throws a punch this weekend, Oliveira has already sparked debate with his latest bold statement. He believes the fighter who truly deserves the title of the world’s number one pound-for-pound competitor right now is UFC 320 co-headliner Merab Dvalishvili.
That’s right — even though Oliveira’s fellow Brazilian, Alex Pereira, made a dramatic leap up the rankings after his recent knockout of Magomed Ankalaev, Oliveira thinks the bantamweight champ from Georgia is being overlooked. According to him, Merab’s relentless pace, wrestling dominance, and championship mindset make him the clear standout in the UFC roster today.
“The guy who’s really impressed me lately — the one I love to watch — is Merab Dvalishvili,” Oliveira told TNT Sports when asked who he thinks is currently the best fighter in the UFC. It’s high praise coming from a man widely regarded as one of the most skilled and versatile finishers in MMA history.
And Oliveira didn’t stop there. During the interview, he also declared himself the greatest Brazilian fighter ever to set foot inside the UFC Octagon — a claim sure to invite heated debate among fans of legends like Anderson Silva, José Aldo, and Amanda Nunes. He even called one of his past submission victories the “best submission win in UFC history,” referencing his notorious finish that stunned both viewers and commentator Joe Rogan years ago.
Meanwhile, Dvalishvili is showing no signs of slowing down after his dominant victory over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. The reigning bantamweight champion has been open about wanting to stay active, potentially fighting again before the end of the year. Rumors suggest he could face either Umar Nurmagomedov or former champion Petr Yan in his next defense — both high-profile challenges that could further cement his legacy.
However, Dvalishvili’s coaches are also hinting at something even bigger: a possible superfight in a higher division against a former pound-for-pound leader. If that clash ever happens, it could redefine the conversation around greatness in the UFC.
But here’s where it gets controversial — if Oliveira’s right, and Merab truly is the best fighter in the world right now, why isn’t the UFC giving him the recognition he deserves? Could it be politics, fan bias, or just timing?
What do you think? Is Oliveira onto something here, or is he overlooking other elite names like Islam Makhachev or Alex Pereira? Drop your thoughts below — who’s your real number one pound-for-pound fighter?
