Conor McGregor has been backed to beat No.1 ranked UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje, but not the division's current champion Charles Oliveira.
Oliveira and Gaethje meet this Saturday in the main event of UFC 274. McGregor had requested to jump the line and fight Oliveira for the 155-pound belt in his comeback fight, but the promotion opted to give Gaethje his deserved shot at the belt.
McGregor is planning his return fight having spent the better part of the year sidelined after breaking his tibia last July. The former two-weight champion insists he will return at 170-pounds, despite having fought just three times at the weight class before.
