Conor McGregor is the sport’s biggest superstar and every fighter from featherweight to welterweight has expressed interest in fighting the Irishman. Recently, Diego Lima, the head coach of Charles Oliveira revealed that they would take a McGregor fight over a title shot against Islam Makhachev.
Oliveira will be guaranteed a shot at the undisputed UFC lightweight title, if he comes out victorious over Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. Will Oliveira follow his coach’s plan, or will he fight for the title? The former champion spoke about it in a recent interview.
Charles Oliveira shares candid thoughts on potential fight with McGregor or Makhachev
Like his head coach at Chute Box, Charles Oliveira favors a potential fight with McGregor over the undisputed lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound king of the UFC.
“I would absolutely go with Conor because of the money,” said Oliveira who stated that it has happened in the past with Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier as well. Poirer was offered a shot at the vacant title fight against Oliveira at UFC 262. However, he declined and made big money by fighting the Irishman and eventually fought for the title against Oliveira.
“You’re putting way too much money in your bank account to live a good life, and then you’re fighting for the title. It doesn’t make any difference,” Oliveira revealed the logic behind fighting McGregor instead of a title.
McGregor’s next fight is most likely against Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303, as leaked by Cody Durden. McGregor has earlier expressed interest in a middleweight fight with Chandler, but UFC has not confirmed it.
Could Charles Oliveira get title shot with win at UFC 300?
Charles Oliveria is guaranteed a title shot if victorious at UFC 300 over Arman Tsarukyan. The Brazilian had the chance to fight for the title against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in a rematch of UFC 280, but suffered an injury and was replaced by Alexander Volkanovski.
However, Arman Tsarukyan knocked out Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin and called out Islam Makhachev for a title shot. Tsarukyan, who fought Makhachev on his debut and lost via split decision, then vowed to knock out the Russian lightweight champion.
Charles Oliveira 🇧🇷Vs Arman Tsarukyan 🇦🇲
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) April 7, 2024
Huge fight in the lightweight division! #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/T9DZNZvKuu
Dana White was very impressed by the performance of Tsarukyan. Therefore, he sealed the fight between Tsarukyan and Oliveira for the number one contender spot at UFC 300. The same card has the BMF title fight between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway.
Nonetheless, Islam Makhachev wants to fight in June and has already called out Dustin Poirer on social media and received a positive response per Bleacher Report. If victorious at UFC 300, Oliveira’s next fight will certainly be for the lightweight title.
Justin Gaethje talks the current UFC lightweight title picture:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 6, 2024
Says that ideally, the winner of Oliveira vs Tsarukyan should fight Islam Makhachev in June since Dana White called that a title eliminator, and then he fights the winner at MSG in November.
Also says "we'll see if… pic.twitter.com/cktVkxXxco
However, the next lightweight title fight won’t be between Oliveira and Makhachev as it will likely be between Poirer and Makhachev. There is also a chance that the victor of Holloway versus Gaethje could fight Makhachev next.
Do you think Charles Oliveira will become champion again in the UFC? Leave your thoughts about it below!
