Dana White reveals Conor McGregor will NOT get next LW title shot as he confirms Oliveira vs Gaethje after UFC 269

UFC president Dana White has announced superstar Conor McGregor will NOT be next for lightweight champ Charles Oliveira.

The Notorious recently claimed he’d be ‘billi walking’ straight into a bout against the winner of Oliveira’s UFC 269 title defence against Dustin Poirier in his comeback fight.

AP

Conor McGregor recently claimed he’d ‘billi’ walk straight into a 155lb title fight upon his return[/caption]

GETTY

But UFC boss Dana White has confirmed The Notorious won’t be next for champ Charles Oliveira[/caption]

REUTERS

White has confirmed former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will face Do Bronx next[/caption]

But White has other plans for Oliveira, whom he plans to pit against former interim 155lb champ Justin Gaethje.

When asked if fan favourite Gaethje was ‘definitely’ next for Oliveira, White said: “Yeah, it makes sense.”

UFC vet Oliveira battled through tremendous adversity in his first title defence to retain his belt via third-round submission.

And White, like many others, was impressed by the heart shown by the Brazilian.

He said of Do Bronx: “I always thought he was a tough guy. He’s had some bumps along the way.

“Same thing with Poirier.

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“But like I said at the press conference the other day, they’re two blue-collar guys that have grinded their way to the top.

He went in tonight and beat Dustin, Dustin is a very, very tough, durable, well-rounded guy who has a ton of experience. It was a big night for Oliveira.”

The UFC’s plans to pit Oliveira against Gaethje – who returned to the win column last month against Michael Chandler – means McGregor is likely to face one of Poirier, Tony Ferguson or Nate Diaz in his comeback bout.

McGregor, 33, is currently recovering from the horrific broken leg he suffered in his UFC 264 rubber match with Poirier in July.

The former two-division champion’s recovery from the freak injury is ‘ahead of schedule’ and he’s currently targeting an April return to sparring.

Ireland’s first and only UFC champion recently told fans during a Twitter Q&A: “The fibula is fully healed.

“The medial side of the tibia is developing nice callous also.

“It is just patience now for it to form down through the bone to the lateral side of the tibia where the larger break occurred.

“It’s getting there. Patience will win this race for me!”

He later added: “I will be full mixed martial arts sparring by April. Easily!

“By then a return will be imminent. But I must be patient. I will beat this!”

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