Oliveira says he is still the champion after beating Gaethje, calls out McGregor

Charles Oliveira is convinced that he remains the UFC lightweight world champion following a dominant first-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 274 on Sunday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, USA.

Oliveira, 32, was stripped of his gold-plated strap after he failed to make the 155-pound limit yesterday. He was 0.5 over and was given the chance to cut the weight, only to step on the scale still weighing 155.5 pounds an hour later.

"He (Gaethje) is a guy who pushes and I always push forward. I knew this was going to happen. I am like a war tank, I keep on moving forward. I knew that I was going to get him, but I knew I was going to get him," said Oliveira.

"I said a couple of times, who wants it more? It all came down to who wanted it more. As my daughter said, I am still the champion. It is not going to change anything, the champion's name is Charles Oliveira. I am going to keep going, keep pushing, and still go for it."

The win over Gaethje improved Oliveira's professional mixed martial arts record to 33-8 and extended his winning streak to 11. Eager to prove himself some more, Oliveira issued a stern warning to his weight class and then called out former two-division world champion Conor McGregor.

"This is a message for the entire division. Look at my team, look at me. I am the enlightened. This is my title and it should be here. Hey Dana White, put anybody in front of me, I'm not going to choose. Hey Conor McGregor, are you coming up or running away?" Oliveira said.

—MGP, GMA News