After being forced out of the featherweight division for missing weight on four different occasions, Charles Oliveira would like a new shot at the 145 lb division. With one win and one loss after his return to lightweight, the 28-year-old says he has been in a constant battle for the UFC’s approval to drop back.

According to Oliveira, he just doesn’t feel strong enough to compete with most lightweights, as he told Ag Fight.

“Me and my manager have been in this war with the UFC. I really want to go back to 145. I had to move up to 155, but that’s not where I want to be. I won against Will Brooks and then I asked to drop down again. I fought Paul Felder and I ended up losing. His strength was a really big difference. He’s much stronger than me. That’s why I want to move back. That’s where I feel comfortable.”

Although the UFC hasn’t told him if he could be back to the featherweight division anytime soon, Oliveira still believes he’ll be able to do it in the future. For now, however, the Brazilian is focusing on bouncing back from the Felder KO loss and on bettering himself for when the time to move arrives. According to Charles his best has yet to come.

“That’s what I tell everyone who trains with me. They haven’t seen me at 100% yet. I really want to go back to 145. I’m sure that if I come back, people will be surprised with the new Charles. I’m evolving and growing all the time. In this year of 2018 I may win one, two or three fights and find myself with a title shot.”

Charles Oliveira was knocked out by Paul Felder in December 2017. Before that he defeated Will Brooks via submission in April 2017. During his featherweight run, Oliveira missed weight against Jeremy Stephens, Cub Swanson, Myles Jury and Ricardo Lamas. He went 2-2 in those fights.