Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he will welcome a high-profile showdown with Conor McGregor if the opportunity presents itself.
Oliveira (36-11 MMA, 24-11 UFC) is set to face reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) in the main event of UFC 326 this Saturday in Las Vegas. There’s a lot on the line at T-Mobile Arena, with the symbolic “Baddest Motherf*****” belt up for grabs and significant implications for the 155-pound division.
Speaking to Submission Radio ahead of the event, “Do Bronx” was asked whether he would consider a fight against former two-division champion Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) should he defeat Holloway and claim the BMF title. The Brazilian didn’t hesitate to entertain the idea.
“Listen, everybody knows that I would fight him for the money. That would be the first thing. And I would do that,” Oliveira said. “But, yeah, I think he's a guy that deserves it. For everything that he's done for the sport, for all of his glories, for that mouth as well, the way he talks, he deserves it.”
Oliveira, who previously held the UFC lightweight championship and remains one of the most accomplished submission artists in promotional history, acknowledged both the financial upside and legacy component of a potential McGregor clash. McGregor, the former featherweight and lightweight champion, remains one of the biggest draws in MMA history despite limited recent activity.
For now, however, Oliveira’s focus remains squarely on Holloway, a former featherweight champion who has revitalized his career with standout performances at 155 pounds. A victory on Saturday would not only earn Oliveira the BMF strap but could position him for another marquee matchup, possibly against one of the sport’s most polarizing figures.
