Charles Oliveira has reiterated his plan to face Conor McGregor at 170lb if the Irishman elects to move up in weight.
McGregor is currently continuing his recovery from a broken leg injury he suffered in defeat against Dustin Poirier last year. The Irish star has made a return to full MMA training recently and has shown off a new impressive ripped physique in training since the incident last July.
This has seen the Irish star appearing to target a switch to 170lb where he has already received challenges from Jorge Masvidal and Michael Chandler. Former 155lb champion Charles Oliveira previously proposed he fights McGregor for the vacant title if the Irishman opted to return at his previous weight.
However Oliveira believes his rival is currently enjoying life and he is waiting to see if the fight is available following his meeting with Islam Makhachev in October. "Well I don't have a special fondness for him but if it brings money great," Oliveira said of a potential fight with McGregor during the UFC 280 press conference in London. "He is a bit heavier at the moment but I could meet him there if need be.
"I think McGregor just wants to enjoy life and my focus now is the fight against Islam and then we will work out what comes next." Oliveira previously indicated he would be willing to step up to 170lb where he would have the opportunity to become the promotion's latest double champion if he progresses beyond Makhachev.
McGregor's comeback is now expected to be delayed until 2023 after falling behind schedule following his return to sparring earlier this year. He offered fresh hope of an early return by returning to the gym and kicking with his previously broken leg, but plans have yet to be officially made.
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A fight early in 2023 could fit perfectly with Oliveira's schedule who will take on Makhachev in October. McGregor produced a lukewarm response to Oliveira's initial fight call-out after he defeated Gaethje earlier this year. Now Oliveira has secured himself a fight, Brazilian legend Junior Dos Dantos has accused the former champion of "ducking" the test of McGregor.
"Did you see that not long ago he [Oliveira] challenged McGregor? And McGregor is kind of ducking," Dos Santos said on the Podpah podcast. "Of course, we know, just ducking. It's obvious he won't want to, it's a bad fight for him. Damn, it's obvious, and then, they're wanting to put him against that Makhachev. Islam Makhachev, who's a monster. It looks like he will accept the fight against Makhachev, hoping that Khabib [Nurmagomedov] will come out of retirement to fight him later."
