Conor McGregor predicted Justin Gaethje could drop Charles Oliveira but fail to finish the Brazilian - and was proved correct.
McGregor provided commentary on social media during UFC 274 as Oliveira choked out Gaethje in the main event to put himself in pole position to reclaim his vacated title. Rapper Drake had gambled $400,000 on Gaethje prevailing and winning the 155lb crown which McGregor had dismissed just minutes before the fight.
The Irish star had predicted the result before the fight during a video breakdown on his bed, dismissing Drake's bet on social media. "He fell in love with those odds," McGregor said of Drake's bet. "I don't know about it to be honest. I think this guy in the grappling exchanges is petrified, he was embarrassing the last time against your man. Unless he one-shots Charles.
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE
"Even if he hits him with a shot, which Charles has shown he is susceptible to be hit with, and dropped with, what's he going to do? Is he going to fall in sloppy, there's just no way... unless he one-shots him I just don't see it. Charles is way too composed. But you know yourself, the fight game is the fight game. Nah... Drake, cancel that bet, bro. You've put $400,000 on a fight that hasn't happened yet; you can definitely rescind that bet."
McGregor later tweeted an apology to Drake: "Called it. Even if he knocked him down he is too s*** to be able to follow him down and do anything substantial. Always Charles’s fight. Sorry Drake, should have posted. But it’s my pleasure Draft Kings, add it to my take of tonight’s winnings."
Drake lost the bet after Gaethje was forced to tap out in the opening round of the firefight which headlined the night's action. Oliveira had been stripped of his 155lb title ahead of the event after failing to make weight.
Do you think Conor McGregor should challenge Charles Oliveira for the vacant title? Let us know in the comments section below
However this had no impact on his performance with the 32-year-old rallying to his 11th successive UFC victory to put himself within touching distance of reclaiming his crown. He will now fight for the vacant title with a number of contenders in the firing line including Islam Makhachev.
But the former champion also delivered a fight call-out to McGregor after the stoppage, and said: "This is a message to the entire division; I am a problem for the entire division. I am enlighted, I am the champion, this is my title and it should be here. Dana White, I don't care [who I fight next], I'm not going to choose. Hey, Conor McGregor, are you going to come back or are you going to run away?"
McGregor declined to accept the call-out on social media afterwards, tweeting: "I’m not sure I wish to cut the weight. I am really enjoying being built like a refrigerator. I feel I want to fight at this size just to watch it back lol. 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."
