Former UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor urged Charles Oliviera not to fight the Dubliner for more than a month.
McGregor attended last night's Bellator 275 in Dublin's 3arena, to support his SBG Ireland team-mates.
Rumours have been strong that the Brazilian will defend his title at 155lbs against American Justin Gaethje, but that fight has yet to be confirmed. Oliviera also openly admitted that he was interested in a money fight against the former Double champion.
McGregor said that he should be given more credit for his MMA skills, and suggested that Justin Gaethje should fight McGregor.
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He said, "If your man [Charles Oliviera] are wise, he might give that a month or so. July seems fine for me. I can't really say too much, but if I was back sparring in April and May, June, July, you know that I could go in there to slap most of these guys in April. My first spar could turn into a fight.
"It's time for this game to start showing me respect for different styles of fighting. My ground game - I shoot downward and my shots up. I would scoot into open defense regardless of what was happening with the leg.
"The Notorious" is currently in recovery from a terrible leg injury that prevented him from playing against Dustin Poirier. He said there was a possibility the bone wouldn't fully heal, but confirmed that rehab is on track.
McGregor stated that there is an 11 percent chance that this bone won't heal. It's over now, but it was still possible for it to heal. This is called a non-union, where the bones don’t join.
"I believe something similar is happening with Chris Weidman right now - there will always be that instability, but as I said, I'm over that now. If that were the case, I would scoot into open-guard and engage in open guard attacks.
He also stated that he does not get enough respect for the skills he has as a mixed-martial artist.
He said, "People will give me respect from every aspect of my game." The elbows and the up-kicks.
"Even though that fight [Donald Cerrone] is over, you can still see people trying to implement them, but it's not the exact same. The game will understand me and show respect for my multiples in my game.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://secondsaway.co.uk/mixed-martial-arts/a-shocking-moment-in-which-an-mma-fighter-had-his-eyeballs-punched-out-of-socket-leaving-viewers-squirming-until-the-doctor-can-get-it-fixed
