Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis says that he is willing to step-in at short notice to fight Conor McGregor.

The American has tweeted to say that he wants a shot at the Dubliner after it emerged that current world champion Rafael dos Anjos has been forced to withdraw from the bout on March 5th in Las Vegas.

Pettis, who lost to Dos Anjos last March, retweeted this address by MMA journalist Ariel Helwani:

Just spoke to @malkikawa, @showtimepettis’ manager, and he said they have reached out to the UFC this AM. They want the McGregor fight, too.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 23, 2016

The UFC are now scrambling to find a suitable replacement for the Brazilian, who is believed to have broken a bone in his foot in training.

Dos Anjos' strength and conditioning coach says his fifth metatarsal is fractured after a "freak accident" during a sparring match.