Charles Oliveira’s journey in the lightweight division of the UFC has been a story of resilience and transformation. Today he stands as a former lightweight champion and one of the division’s most formidable fighters. His path to glory was fraught with setbacks and early defeats. In his early UFC days, Oliveira managed just 9 victories out of his first 17 fights, with 7 of those bouts ending in defeat between 2010 and 2018. The last of those losses saw him tap out to strikes from Paul Felder, reflecting his challenges.

However, it was precisely these adversities that propelled Oliveira to his current status as a dominant force in the division. Recently, he candidly discussed another former lightweight champion, Conor McGregor, and the uncertainties surrounding McGregor’s future in the sport.

Charles Oliveira comments on Conor McGregor and his absence from the sport

During an interview with James Lynch on YouTube, Oliveira was questioned about his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s potential return to the Octagon. The inquiry arose following a heated exchange between the two fighters on social media. They engaged in a fiery back-and-forth on Twitter, with Oliveira openly questioning McGregor’s motivation for a comeback. Oliveira also appeared on The MMA Hour hosted by Ariel Helwani. There, he expressed his openness to a future bout with McGregor, hinting at the possibility.

In response, McGregor, who had been sidelined due to a leg injury since his loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021, took to Instagram to assert his presence, stating, “I’m on the yachtsty, lad.”

When asked about McGregor’s potential return, Oliveira kept his response straightforward, saying, “Yeah honestly, I have no clue.”

McGregor was planning to make his return to the Octagon this year. However, fans of the fighter were left disappointed after he made a startling revelation recently.

‘The Notorious’ will not be fighting this year

McGregor had initially hoped to make a triumphant return to the UFC in December, with Michael Chandler as a potential opponent. However, recent developments have cast doubt on this plan. McGregor admitted that his failure to rejoin the USADA testing pool in time made it unlikely for him to compete in December.

In his own words, McGregor lamented, “They’re not going to let me fight in December, ladies and gentlemen. You’ve seen Chris Weidman [at UFC 292]. Imagine what that injury is. I feel like I’m being kept from my livelihood, and I’ve been feeling this for years.”

Just a week prior, McGregor had outlined an ambitious plan for his Octagon return, naming three potential opponents. He mentioned Chandler as his next target in December, followed by Justin Gaethje, the BMF title, and eventually a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz. However, USADA’s stringent requirements dictate that fighters must be in the testing pool for at least six months before being eligible to compete.

Read More: After Dustin Poirier Visited His Hometown, Conor McGregor Gives Bitter UFC Rival a Troublesome Reminder of the Infamous “Mystic Mac” Moment

In conclusion, the uncertainties surrounding Conor McGregor’s return cast a shadow of doubt on his immediate comeback plans. While Charles Oliveira remains open to the possibility of facing the former lightweight champion in the future. As the UFC lightweight division continues to evolve, the potential matchups and storylines in the sport remain as intriguing as ever.

Do you think Conor McGregor will regain his champion status in the UFC? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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