Dana White: Charles Oliveira's UFC Lightweight Title Shot "To Be Determined by His Cut

In the fast-paced world of the UFC, fortunes can change in an instant. Just ask Charles Oliveira. Scheduled to challenge lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a title-fight rematch at UFC 294, Oliveira's dream bout turned into a nightmare when he suffered a deep laceration during training, forcing him to withdraw. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski stepped in on short notice but was dispatched by Makhachev in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it first-round knockout.

Before UFC 294, Dana White hinted that Oliveira might be next in line for the lightweight title shot. However, post-event, White is keeping his cards close to his chest, with his decision hanging on one crucial factor: the severity of Oliveira's cut.

“That’s all going to be determined by his cut,” White told reporters. “It was a pretty nasty cut. It was pretty deep. The thing that’s really good about it is he went to a plastic surgeon, so they sewed it up from the inside out, and hopefully that’s going to help it heal faster and heal properly.”

Oliveira's journey to the rematch began with a setback when Makhachev submitted him at UFC 280 last October. Nevertheless, he showcased his resilience with a first-round TKO of the impressive Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 in June, earning himself another shot at Makhachev.

But the plot thickens as Makhachev, with his scintillating victory over Volkanovski, now has multiple options at his disposal. Justin Gaethje, the "BMF" champion, has emerged as a worthy contender after his knockout win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. Additionally, there's top contender Mateusz Gamrot, who weighed in as a backup for Makhachev's fight against Volkanovski.

Makhachev isn't just focused on the lightweight division either; he has his sights set on the welterweight title, eyeing the winner of the upcoming clash between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at UFC 296. The UFC lightweight division is heating up, and the landscape could change in a flash, making Dana White's final decision even more intriguing. As we await the verdict, one thing is for sure - the UFC's lightweight division remains as dynamic and thrilling as ever.