White: Gaethje likely to fight Oliveira next

A pivotal lightweight bout between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira will likely be scheduled, according to UFC president Dana White.

"If everything goes right, it will probably be Oliveira," White said Tuesday when asked what is next for Gaethje during a fan Q&A on ESPN+, according to MMA Fighting's Mike Heck.

White added that the promotion wanted to book Oliveira against former Bellator champion Michael Chandler, but the Brazilian wasn't ready after fighting Tony Ferguson in December.

White did not say when Gaethje-Oliveira would take place if it's finalized.

Gaethje is coming off a submission loss to reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who announced his retirement after the UFC 254 main event last October.

Oliveira has won eight straight fights, including a lopsided decision victory over former interim champ Ferguson at UFC 256.

Other key lightweight matchups are set for early 2021, with Conor McGregor facing Dustin Poirier in a rematch and Chandler making his UFC debut against Dan Hooker.