Oliveira Calls Out McGregor For A White House Fight

Ex-UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira is making his intentions known, campaigning for a dream fight against Conor McGregor at the "UFC White House" event next June. 

Oliveira, who is set to face Mateusz Gamrot in the main event of UFC Rio this weekend, is targeting the big fight despite his recent loss. Charles was knocked out by Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in his last fight, missing out on the chance to win the vacant lightweight title. Despite the setback, he has the chance to win in front of his home nation.

A win means a McGregor fight is more likely. The Notorious has said he wants to fight on the UFC White House card, going so far as to state a deal is done. While Dana White has dismissed that claim, a fight with Michael Chandler continues to be mentioned. Oliveira, who beat Chandler at UFC 309, naturally feels he has more a right to that fight, as he recognized the big financial incentive.

Oliveira Reacts

"Financial [reason]. I just said I’m the most truthful one here. My history wasn’t manufactured, my history is the way it is. I won’t change my way of speaking. Why the desire to fight Conor? Finances. How much money you think that would generate? How much money would that bring to everyone’s pockets? It’s a lot of money. We’re talking about a lot of money. So why? That’s the truth.

"It’s not because he beat this guy or that guy or has done this or that. He’s never said a bad thing about me. Quite the opposite, I’m always saying good things about him. He’s made history inside the cage, beat great names. He had his way of talking — it’s not the way I talk, the way I like to promote, but it’s way of promoting and has made him a lot of money, has done a lot for our sport. But why do I want the fight? Because it would give me a lot of money, that’s the truth. I have nothing against him," Oliveira said 

The Approach

Oliveira’s key to victory is forcing the fight to the ground. Even if McGregor drops him with a powerful shot, Oliveira is dangerous off his back and will instantly look to wrap up a submission. McGregor’s submission defense has been notoriously exploitable, losing by rear-naked choke to both Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov. If the fight enters the later rounds, McGregor’s historically questionable cardio under grappling pressure would become a factor.

McGregor’s entire game plan would be focused on a devastating, early knockout. He excels at maximizing his southpaw stance and reach advantage (74 inches) to control the distance and deliver his precise straight left hand, a weapon that dismantled Eddie Alvarez in the first two rounds of their title fight. McGregor would look to exploit Oliveira’s most glaring weakness: his suspect defense and tendency to get hit clean, as recently demonstrated by Ilia Topuria’s first-round knockout at UFC 317.

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