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During his stellar but brief run as the UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira made his desire to face Conor McGregor as clear as day. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt felt that he deserved a money fight with 'The Notorious'. The Irishman seemed open to a bout with 'do Bronx', albeit for different reasons.
The Chute Box star presented him with an automatic title fight upon his eventual return from injury. While Charles Oliveira ultimately lost the 155 lbs title prior to the Irishman's return, a matchup is still possible. Since his devastating leg break against Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor has spent time nursing his injury.
Since the defeat, 'The Notorious' has bulked up significantly. Given the amount of mass he's accrued, it's unlikely he's targeting a return at lightweight. Nevertheless, a bout with Charles Oliveira makes more sense than not. This list compiles five reasons why the two men should inevitably cross swords.
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#5. The matchup is ideal at welterweight
It's unlikely that Conor McGregor has gained all the muscle mass that he has simply in order to cut back down to 155 lbs. His return to the octagon will either be at welterweight or catchweight. It wouldn't be inconceivable for a matchup against Charles Oliveira to be either.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist is a large lightweight. His physical dimensions dwarf even the Irishman's. Charles Oliveira is taller and possesses a comparable reach. Furthermore, his recent struggles making weight at lightweight likely mean he's better suited for life at 170 lbs.
Without the demands of a weight cut, 'do Bronx' won't be hindered by any dehydration. His durability will likely benefit from the extra hydration that will come from fighting closer to his natural weight. Since Conor McGregor is unlikely to target a true welterweight, Charles Oliveira is an optimal option.
#4. It is a winnable fight for Conor McGregor
While Conor McGregor will never bet against himself, the UFC has always been careful when it comes to matchmaking for the Irishman. Finding an opponent for 'The Notorious' will be difficult if the intention is to build him back into title contention.
Both welterweight and lightweight are shark tanks. A fighter returning from such a serious injury after more than a year-long absence will do poorly in either division. Most of the fights that are winnable are against foes whose names and status are too low for the Irishman to consider.
Fights that aren't as winnable are riskier and don't bode as well as return bouts. Charles Oliveira, however, is perfect. He is a former champion who only recently lost after a lengthy win streak. Furthermore, he is a beatable foe for Conor McGregor.
Not only is he not a strong enough takedown artist to threaten the Irishman with his offensive wrestling, but he is extremely hittable. The Brazilian great stands tall with his back upright. He also doesn't move his head off the center-line during striking exchanges.
This exposes him greatly to Conor McGregor's linear counterpunches off of slips. While the danger of 'do Bronx's' grappling is ever-present, it is not a guarantee.
#3. It is a winnable fight for Charles Oliveira
While Charles Oliveira isn't an exceptional offensive wrestler, he is competent. Nevertheless, his grappling is more opportunistic than anything. Against Conor McGregor, he won't be engaging in extended chain-wrestling sequences designed to ground the Irishman.
However, he doesn't have to do so in order to prove dangerous for 'The Notorious'. The UFC's first-ever two-division champion has a tendency to lean too far forward whenever he throws punches. When leaning, he brings his shoulders past his lead knee, causing him to lead with his face.
While this enables the Irishman to extend the reach of his punches, it exposes him to counters. Since 'do Bronx' stands so tall when he fights, he's always in prime position to intercept his opponents with knees. Due to Conor McGregor's exaggerated forward-leaning, he brings his chin within range of his foe's knees.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt can counter him up the middle. Additionally, the sheer volume of strikes 'do Bronx' throws might overwhelm the cardio-deficient Irishman if 'The Notorious' fails to land an early KO.
#2. Charles Oliveira deserves a massive payday
At this point, it's obvious to most fighters that a matchup against Conor McGregor is the best money-making opportunity in the UFC. While title fights will always have a measure of sporting prestige that can't be matched, there's more money to be made elsewhere.
Prior to his departure from the promotion, Nate Diaz was the second biggest star in MMA. That status was owed in large part to his rivalry with Conor McGregor. Similarly, Dustin Poirier became significantly more popular after rematching with the Irishman. Now, 'The Diamond' is one of the highest-earning fighters in the sport.
Given all of the trials and tribulations he's had to overcome in the UFC, Charles Oliveira is more than deserving of a massive payday. He was one of the promotion's most active champions during his title reign. Furthermore, he willingly faced every opponent that the UFC booked him against.
To repay him for the ease with which the promotion negotiated with him, he ought to be rewarded with a McGregor fight.
#1. It would be easy to promote
While Conor McGregor and Charles Oliveira have little personal history with one another, there is a built-in storyline the UFC can promote. During his title reign, 'do Bronx' claimed that he could KO the Irishman and submit Nate Diaz in one night. The UFC could use that statement to promote a bout.
They can cite the Brazilian's disdain for the Irishman's skills to create a narrative about Conor McGregor wanting to prove that he still belongs. Additionally, the UFC can reference the SBG superstar's unbeaten record against Brazilian foes. 'The Notorious' defeated Diego Brandão and José Aldo.
The bout could be marketed through the lens of 'do Bronx' hoping to break the cycle. Alternatively, it could be promoted as 'The Notorious' waging another war against a Brazilian opponent. Past footage from the world tour that he and José Aldo embarked on can be used.
Specifically, footage regarding the Irishman's statements about ruling Brazil can be used in reference to how 'do Bronx' himself feels about them.
