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Daniel Cormier reckons Conor McGregor could bypass all the rules and rankings and walk into a world title fight in the UFC this summer.

The Irishman has called outlightweight champion Charles Oliveira on several occasions over the past couple of months, especially in the aftermath of his defeat to rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.

McGregor and Cormier are far from friends, but DC can see why McGregor would walk back into a title shot
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McGregor and Cormier are far from friends, but DC can see why McGregor would walk back into a title shot

McGregor has only been victorious once in the octagon since becoming UFC’s first-ever double champion in 2016 and that was a 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone two years ago.

However, McGregor’s star power and box office appeal is other worldly compared to his peers and Cormier believes that means different rules apply.

“Honestly, I really do believe that there are different rules in regards to Conor,” the former heavyweight champion said on Tuesday in a conversation with . 

“And people might not like it, people may hate it, but if he is healthy and he starts to chirp, Oliveira’s chirping back at him, and if there’s fan interest, I can see a world where it happens [this summer]. 

“It would make so many people upset, but ultimately it comes down to dollars and cents.”

Daniel Cormier is close friend with McGregor's greatest rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov
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Daniel Cormier is close friend with McGregor's greatest rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC boss Dana White has already admitted he’d consider making the title fight for McGregor and Oliveira and the champion, unsurprisingly, is also interested in facing off against McGregor.

Given it’s a guaranteed career-payday, The Notorious is easily the most enticing option on the table for Oliveira.

The UFC operates with a ranking system. Justin Gaethje is the number one contender after defeating Michael Chandler and then third and fourth placed Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev, respectively, will face off at the end of February where the winner will also expect a title shot.

McGregor is ninth in the rankings. However, he has main evented eight of the UFC’s top 10 highest selling pay-per-views of all-time and the money he’s made the company versus literally any other fighter is incomparable.

McGregor has beefed up during rehab and will need to slim down before challenging Oliveira
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McGregor has beefed up during rehab and will need to slim down before challenging OliveiraCredit: @notoriousmma (Twitter)

A lot of fighters will be unhappy that McGregor will skip the line, but a McGregor title shot will draw well on pay-per-view, bottom line.

McGregor has just returned to full training after recovering from the broken leg he suffered against Poirier last July. He could be ready to challenge Oliveira by the summer of this year.

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