Charles Oliveira has said that Arman Tsarukyan will beat Paddy Pimblett to fight for Ilia Topuria’s UFC lightweight title next.Oliveira was knocked out by Topuria in his last fight and believes Tsarukyan will be the next challenger to the Spaniard’s throne, ahead of fellow top-ranked lightweights Pimblett and Justin Gaethje. Oliveira held the lightweight title in 2021 and hopes to get another crack at reclaiming his throne through a victory at UFC Rio next monthGettyThe Brazilian, who holds the record for the most bonuses in Dana White‘s promotion, is currently preparing for his return to the Octagon against Rafael Fiziev at UFC Rio to get his name back in the title picture.‘Do Bronxs’ headlines the stacked card in Brazil for what is expected to be a special homecoming.Ahead of his comeback, Oliveira has brought his trademark grit and discipline to the spotlight at Project Rock, a campaign run by Dwayne Johnson and Under Armour’s collaborative brand.Speaking to talkSPORT.com following the launch, Oliveira, 35, explained how he is embodying everything the brand stands for as he prepares for UFC Rio, while detailing his thoughts on the current lightweight scene.Charles Oliveira: Paddy Pimblett won’t be Ilia Topuria’s next fight“I don’t think Pimblett will be the one to face Ilia Topuria,” Oliveira said through a translator.“I think the fight that’s going to happen is between Arman and Ilia Topuria.“Arman deserves it, he’s the number one contender, I think he’s the one who deserves to fight Topuria. “Justin Gaethje is also a guy who’s been there for a very, very long time, but I don’t think he’s going to get this opportunity now. “I see Arman as the guy who’s going to fight for the title.”Oliveira is a former UFC champion, having won the belt by knocking out Michael Chandler in May 2021.Oliveira defeated Chandler and Poirier in two UFC lightweight title fights four years agoGETTYThe Brazilian is hoping to bounce back from his last fight – a defeat to Topuria at UFC 317 in JuneGettyHe defended the belt once by submitting Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 before dropping it to Islam Makhachev in late 2022.After trading a win and a loss to Beneil Dariush and Tsarukyan, Oliveira defeated Chandler again to get another shot at the 155lbs title.He fought Topuria, who was moving up in weight as an ex-UFC featherweight titleholder, for the vacant lightweight strap, but suffered a devastating knockout midway through the first round of the Miami main event.The No. 4-ranked UFC lightweight is using his homecoming against Fiziev to cement his status as one of the world’s best 155lb fighters.“Lions have to walk with lions,” he added, speaking on the Project Rock 8 campaign, which aims to better the way combat sports athletes connect with fans outside the Octagon.“So in the cage, I always keep my mindset strong so that I’m forged in steel, with the resilience we live by at Chute Boxe [Academy MMA gym].Ahead of his UFC return, Oliveira has joined forces with Under Armour for Project Rock, alongside the likes of Dwayne JohnsonUnder Armour/Project Rock“And I think this project feels like perfect timing, it’s about walking alongside other lions and growing stronger together, in our daily lives.”Oliveira faces No. 10-ranked lightweight Fiziev on October 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Brazil.He is taking one fight at a time to work back to a UFC lightweight title shot.Oliveira confident on getting ‘back in line’ for UFC lightweight title shot“I see my path toward the title the same way as I’ve always focused on it, keeping my spirit alive, keeping my focus alive, taking one step at a time” Oliveira concluded.“Right now, the step in front of me is October 11 against Rafael Fiziev at UFC Rio, it’s a huge fight. “So I have to be at my best, happy, daring, ready to make history by winning this fight.UFC Rio: Main cardMain event: Charles Oliveira vs Rafael Fiziev – LightweightCo-main event: Deiveson Figueiredo vs Montel Jackson – BantamweightJhonata Diniz vs Mario Pinto – HeavyweightVicente Luque vs Santiago Ponzinibbio – WelterweightJafel Filho vs Clayton Carpenter – FlyweightOliveira fights Fiziev in the main event of UFC Rio on October 11Getty“With one or two more big victories after that, I know I’ll be right back in line for the title shot.”Should Topuria defend his belt against Tsarukyan next, Pimblett would most likely face Gaethje in a title eliminator bout.This may leave Oliveira with the loser of either fight to get himself back in the position of a second crack at UFC gold.