UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira appears to have answered the call of former two-weight titleholder, Conor McGregor – offering to meet the Dubliner this weekend at the promotion’s final event of the year, UFC Vegas 45.
Oliveira, who headlined UFC 269 on Saturday, defeated common-foe, Dustin Poirier with a third round standing rear-naked choke to successfully defend his lightweight crown at the first time of asking.
The Sao Paulo native stood with Poirier for the entirety of round one, going blow for blow with the challenger, utilizing his Muay Thai ability to land a series of really punishing knees to the midsection of Poirier.
In the second round, Oliveira managed to establish full guard during a scramble with Poirier, and spent the majority of the frame landing a series of blunt elbows, amassing some significant ground control.
Early in the third frame, Oliveira scaled the back of Poirier at the fence after transitioning to a bodylock – before securing hooks and latching onto a standing rear-naked choke, eventually forcing the tap.
In the immediate aftermath of Poirier’s loss, McGregor replied to former opponent, Nate Diaz – criticizing the Lafayette challenger’s performance, claiming it was “embarrassing”.
“You lanky string of piss he (Dustin Poirier) got lumped around and got lucky twice,” McGregor replied, referencing his pair of recent losses to Poirier. “Is what it is. Embarrassing night for him alright. That closed guard game. Wtf was that. Wow! Shocking. All good happy Sat (Saturday) night horse yupya it’s proper twelve day tomorrow 12/12. New Paddy’s Day.”
you lanky string of piss he got lumped around and got lucky twice. That’s it. Is what it is. Embarrassing night for him alright. That closed guard game. Wtf was that. Wow! Shocking. All good happy Sat night horse yupya it’s proper twelve day tomorrow 12/12. New Paddy’s Day!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 12, 2021
Yesterday, McGregor then questioned what date he was fighting Oliveira on, as well as posting an Irish vs. Brazilian flag emoji, paired with a picture of him sporting the ‘new’ iteration of the UFC championship title.
Charles Oliveira offers to fight Conor McGregor this weekend at UFC Vegas 45
In response to McGregor’s call for a title shot, Oliveira offered to fight the Dubliner this weekend at UFC Vegas 45 – explaining how he was still in Las Vegas until after this weekend.
“What do you think about this weekend?” Charles Oliveira tweeted following McGregor’s call out. “I’m ready, I’m still in town, and there’s an up&coming (sic) event. Let’s go baby.”