Conor McGregor declines call-out from Charles Oliveira after Justin Gaethje win

Oliveira called on McGregor to challenge him for the vacant lightweight title later this year after the Brazilian choked out Gaethje in the first round

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Cian Cowley opens up about Conor McGregor’s first spar back

Conor McGregor has admitted he is not sure he wants to return to lightweight to fight Charles Oliveira.

The Brazilian choked out Justin Gaethje in the first round at UFC 274 which left the 155lb title vacant after Oliveira had failed to make weight on Friday. He will challenge for the vacant belt later this year and named McGregor as a potential dance partner.

“This is a message to the entire division; I am a problem for the entire division. I am the enlighted, I am the champion, this is my title and it should be here,” said Oliveira. “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 took to social media to respond, and suggested he would rather make his return at welterweight. “I’m not sure I wish to cut the weight,” he said. “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.”

McGregor has not fought since he was beaten by Dustin Poirier in their third fight last summer. He has been recovering from the broken leg he suffered at the end of the first round and only recently returned to boxing sparring.

The Irishman will not return before August and has repeatedly said he wants to take on 170lb champion Kamaru Usman who is slated to defend his belt against Birmingham’s Leon Edwards. McGregor’s previous outings at welterweight saw him trade wins with Nate Diaz before knocking out Donald Cerrone.

Would Conor McGregor beat Charles Oliveira? Let us know in the comments section below

McGregor was also called out by Michael Chandler after he KO’d Tony Ferguson with a brutal front kick – and the former two-weight champion accepted. “I’d have a nice knock off this guy, no doubt about it,” he wrote on social media. “A firework spectacle. I like the 170 shout also. Tipped him over. I’m definitely game to fight this guy at some stage in my career. I see it happening after tonight. Congrats on a solid win Michael and another barnstormer.”

And when asked about the potential fight, UFC president Dana White said: “Conor isn’t ready yet but when Conor is ready and he can train for a fight, we’ll talk about it. Who doesn’t want to see Chandler against Conor?”