RIO DE JANEIRO — Charles Oliveira has always made it pretty clear that he would be down to sharing the cage with former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, and that hasn’t changed in 2025. In fact, he would still be open to facing “The Notorious” at the planned UFC show at the White House in June 2026.
Speaking to reporters during the UFC Rio media day Wednesday in Brazil prior to his lightweight main event with Mateusz Gamrot, “do Bronx” said he’s interested in a slot on the historic event on June 14.
“When we talk about legacy, that’s going to be gigantic,” Oliveira said of the White House card. “Why not do a big fight there? That would be really good. Everybody wants to fight there, I think. If the UFC needs me, I’ll be ready.”
Asked who would be the ideal dance partner for such extravaganza, Oliveira laughed.
“I don’t even like to say that,” Oliveira said. “Everybody knows what would be the fight there, Charles Oliveira and Conor McGregor. That’s the money fight.”
McGregor hasn’t fought in years and is currently serving a 18-month suspension after missing three random drug tests, but will be cleared to return to action in March. The motivation to face him wouldn’t be a competitive desire to test himself, Oliveira admitted.
“Financial [reason],” Oliveira laughed. “I just said I’m the most truthful one here. My history wasn’t manufactured, my history is the way it is. I won’t change my way of speaking. Why the desire to fight Conor? Finances. How much money you think that would generate? How much money would that bring to everyone’s pockets? It’s a lot of money. We’re talking about a lot of money. So why? That’s the truth.
“It’s not because he beat this guy or that guy or has done this or that. He’s never said a bad thing about me. Quite the opposite, I’m always saying good things about him. He’s made history inside the cage, beat great names. He had his way of talking — it’s not the way I talk, the way I like to promote, but it’s way of promoting and has made him a lot of money, has done a lot for our sport. But why do I want the fight? Because it would give me a lot of money, that’s the truth. I have nothing against him.”
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