UFC: Conor McGregor calls for Charles Oliveira title fight – but Dana White has other ideas
- ‘The Notorious’ wants the next crack at UFC lightweight belt after Brazilian submitted Dustin Poirier
- UFC president White says former interim champ Justin Gaethje ‘makes sense’ for ‘Do Bronx’, however
Conor McGregor has continued his tradition of inserting himself into the conversation after UFC pay-per-view events, this time calling for a lightweight title shot.
Now “The Notorious” wants a crack at the Brazilian champ’s belt – despite being on a two-fight skid after back-to-back defeats by “The Diamond” Poirier.
“So what date am I fighting Oliveira?” McGregor tweeted to his nine million Twitter followers on Monday.
The Irishman also invoked his victory over another Brazilian champion – Jose Aldo – almost six years ago to the day, when he became undisputed UFC featherweight king.
For good measure, McGregor posted a picture of himself wearing a replica of the new UFC belt design – in front of a giant poster depicting his greatest triumph, when he became the promotion’s first double champ after capturing the lightweight title from Eddie Alvarez in November 2016.
McGregor is highly unlikely to get his wish, however, with UFC president Dana White seeming to confirm Justin Gaethje is next in line in the 155-pound division.
“Yeah, it makes sense,” White said, when asked at the weekend’s post-event press conference if Gaethje will get the title shot.
Oliveira himself also seemed to be anticipating a showdown with “The Highlight” when asked by the media at T-Mobile Arena.
Gaethje showed Oliveira respect when they ran into each other backstage after the fight, taking a different tone after questioning his “heart” in the build-up – something which had irked the Brazilian.
“Listen I don’t care. I come here and I do it,” Oliveira said, when asked if the rivalry was personal.
“I’m not on Twitter, I’m not on Facebook trying to show people what’s going on. I’m here, I’m the champion, I have this belt.
“I’m going to keep defending it. I don’t care what people say, I’m gonna do me.”
