Coach: Charles Oliveira Turned Down Title Eliminator vs. Michael Chandler at UFC 258

Charles Oliveira isn’t interested in a short-notice fight with no title on the line.

According to a report published by Brazilian outlet AgFight, “Do Bronx” was offered a fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 258 on Feb. 13, with the winner moving on to face Dustin Poirier for the lightweight belt.

Sherdog.com confirmed the news with Oliveira’s coach, Diego Lima, who also revealed that his fighter turned down the bout.

"Charles had never been so close to the belt and it's important to note that he worked hard for that. He is on an eight-fight winning streak, with seven coming via submission or KO. The fans and even Poirier recognized that,” Lima said. "Today is Feb. 1. It makes no sense for us to accept a title eliminator for 11 days from now.

“Charles needs time to lose weight, we lose about two days with visa stuff and of course we need to prepare for the fight itself,” he continued. “Our goal was fight for the belt against Poirier, but if Poirier will not fight for the belt and the UFC wants to make the Chandler fight for the belt, no problem. But all champions have two or three months to make a camp to get ready. We already did crazy stuff like accept Clay Guida in 10 days and Tony Ferguson in 20, but I think that for all Charles has done, he deserves to have a full camp to fight for that title.”