Injured Oliveira wants title shot or McGregor fight in return

Charles Oliveira wasn't able to make it to UFC 294, but he still expects a big fight when he returns.

The former lightweight champion was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev in a rematch in Saturday's main event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, but he was forced to withdraw last week after suffering a cut in training.

Once he's ready to compete again, Oliveira has two options in mind: A title shot or a money fight against UFC star Conor McGregor.

"I'm the No. 1 contender, and I beat everybody else below me," Oliveira told MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz on Thursday.

He added: "The Conor fight is a fight I've been asking for a long time. ... It's a fight that will give us a lot of money. Conor sells, Charles also sells. It's a fight that everybody wants. ... Title fight? I'm waiting. UFC makes the call. I deserve it."

In Oliveira's absence, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski stepped in on 11 days' notice to face Makhachev in a rematch of their UFC 284 bout in February.

While it should be a no-brainer that Oliveira - the No. 1-ranked lightweight who has beaten everyone else in the top five - still receives a title shot in his next Octagon appearance, Makhachev and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, both recently argued that Oliveira should now have to take a fight before challenging for the title.

Abdelaziz said his client, Justin Gaethje, should be next in line for a title shot instead. Gaethje is coming off a knockout win over Dustin Poirier in July to claim the mythical BMF title. Makhachev, meanwhile, said Oliveira and Gaethje should face off to determine the next challenger. Oliveira submitted Gaethje in the first round of a May 2022 bout.

"How have I missed my shot?" Oliveira asked. "I'm the No. 1 (contender). I've (beaten) everybody else below me. Who's next in line? I am."