Charles Oliveira has doubled down on his call-out of UFC superstar Conor McGregor by pointing out the financial reward on offer.
The Brazilian star was stripped of his 155lb title after missing weight ahead of his UFC 274 victory over Justin Gaethje last month. Immediately after submitting his rival, Oliveira called for a lightweight clash with McGregor, who has already suggested he is more likely to make a comeback at 170lbs.
Oliveira has now admitted any fight with McGregor would be the best money-spinner in his career but would also cement his legacy with the promotion. "It would be a very good fight for me," Oliveira told ESPN Brazil when asked about a potential fight with the Irishman. "It would put a lot of money in my pocket, and [at this moment] that's the most important thing. And it would also be really good for my legacy, for me to have in my story.
"Regardless, if he's coming from defeat or not, he's a guy who's made history, so I think it would be great, but it's not just up to me. If it were up to me, this fight would already be happening. I have a daughter to raise. Everyone wants to fight Conor, it's not just me who wants to. Everyone knows that fighting Conor is very profitable. I'm talking about money."
McGregor last fought at 155lb and broke his leg in a second consecutive defeat to Dustin Poirier last year. He has since returned to training and has posted footage of himself using his leg again after stepping up his recovery further. The Irish star has also shown off his new ripped physique, claiming he currently walks around at 190lb.
He believes this would see him best-suited to a return at 170lb, where he earned his last UFC victory against Donald Cerrone back in 2020. McGregor previously suggested he would love to fight Brazilian Oliveira, pointing out his previous meetings with compatriots Jose Aldo and Diego Brandao.
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"I feel I want to fight at this size just to watch it back," he wrote on social media. "But I’d love to fight the Brazilian, 100 per cent! I love Brazil and I’m unbeaten against Brazil. All KO’s. I’ve some thinking to do."
McGregor later declined Oliveira's previous call-out, confirming he would prefer a title shot against welterweight champion Kamaru Usman instead. UFC legend Chael Sonnen has urged McGregor to reconsider Oliveira's recent proposal if the title can also be put on the line.
"The mere fact that Oliveira is asking for McGregor. Not only saying, 'I would do it'. Going a step further and saying, 'I want to do it. Please let me do it. Help me to do it.' For Conor McGregor, you've got to take a good look at that world title fight," Sonnen said. "Those don't come along very often."
