Charles Oliveira explains why the fight with Conor McGregor no longer interests him and opens a new OnlyFans career

Charles Oliveira has explained why he is no longer interested in a fight with Conor McGregor, while discussing his new career on OnlyFans.

The former UFC lightweight champion offered his services as a backup fighter for McGregor’s planned comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.

Oliveira offered to act as a stand-in, on the condition that he could negotiate a new deal in the event he fought the ‘Notorious’.

McGregor withdrew due to a toe injury and instead Oliveira’s compatriot Alex Pereira defended his light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka in the new headliner.

But despite Oliveira criticising him in the past, saying he was “just waiting” for the Irishman regardless of his weight, he has now changed his stance.

In fact, he’s not confident McGregor will return to the Octagon after recent events.

“Honestly, he already has all the qualities he needs,” Oliveira told SPORTbible when asked about his fight with McGregor.

“When I suggested it would be a good fight, I meant it would make me a lot of money, and it would make him a lot of money too.

“That’s not his vision anymore. I don’t even think he’s going to fight anymore.

“He fights when he wants to. Michael Chandler waited two years for him and at the last moment he gave up. He fights when he wants to.”

Oliveira is statistically the best finisher in UFC history, having lost his last fight in April to Arman Tsarukyan by split decision.

‘Do Bronx’ has been training hard and ‘waiting for the right time and the next opportunity’ to return to the Octagon.

The 34-year-old keeps his fans on OnlyFans, for which he is an ambassador, updated on his training and life.

The subscription service is no longer just known for its adult content, with former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and tennis prodigy Nick Kyrgios also signing up.

Oliveira explained how the move came about: “The way they approached me and came to me was really nice because it really connected to what I’m talking about: legacy and bringing my fans closer to me.

“It was another opportunity to bring the fans closer together and show our training, our day-to-day and how we do things behind the scenes and behind the cameras. We saw that straight away and started creating.

“It’s all about my daily life and my family, training exercises, the jokes I make with my friends and my time with horses – I love horses, techniques from jiu jitsu. You can find everything there.

“It’s important. I see it as work, sponsorship – it’s all to support my career and it’s a good opportunity.”

Oliveira, who came from nothing in the favelas of Sao Paulo and had no “real money”, sees the side income as “work” and “sponsorship”, but also as a way to connect with his passionate fans, who always support him.

He continued: “When I was a fan, I remember what I wanted from my idols. I followed them to see what they were doing, and having this as an opportunity for my fans is nice: being close to them and getting messages of support.

“The fans become a family because they protect me. If someone attacks me on social media, my family and fan base go there and protect me.”

As a child, Oliveira’s parents sold snacks and cardboard on the street so he could train in jiu-jitsu.

He was also told that he should not play sports because he had a heart murmur, but he ignored the advice of a doctor and achieved great success.

His story is the definition of ‘from poverty to riches’: he now holds the record for most fight bonuses in UFC history.

He explained: “Brazil is a great country, but it is also very challenging to build a career in sports. If athletes want to get there, they have to dedicate themselves and be willing to improve to get there.

“The main goal of the people who come from the same place is to help their family. We give everything to help our family.”

There are many other Brazilian athletes with similar stories, who come from humble origins and end up excelling in their field.

Brazilian football stars Vinicius Jr and Neymar are two well-known examples. Oliveira is friends with both, but who does he want to take into the Octagon?

Oliveira replied: “I like both. It would be great to walk in with both, but I’ve known Neymar for a long time. He was from the same neighbourhood as me, there are photos from when we were children – not together, but in the same place. I would choose Neymar.”

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