Justin Gaethje wants McGregor, and surprisingly, he would rather face the outspoken Irishman than avenge some of the biggest losses of his UFC career.
The reigning UFC lightweight champion has shared the Octagon with nearly every elite lightweight of his generation. From Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier to Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria, Gaethje has tested himself against the division’s best. However, one name has always remained out of reach: Conor McGregor.
While many fans expected Gaethje to target rematches with Holloway or Oliveira, “The Highlight” has a different idea.
Speaking to CBS Sports’ Damien Harris, Gaethje admitted that the desire to avenge past defeats is no longer a major motivation.
“Damn, there’s really no one,” Gaethje said. “It would have been Oliveira or Holloway, but since Topuria beat them,I ‘m going to go ahead and justify it to myself like I got them back.”
“So I guess McGregor. Fun to shut him up.”
It is a revealing statement from the lightweight champion, who appears more interested in settling a long-standing rivalry with McGregor than revisiting old battles.
A fight between the two has been discussed for years but never materialized. With Gaethje now holding the lightweight title and McGregor’s future still a constant topic of conversation, the matchup remains one of the biggest potential fights the UFC can make.
Gaethje captured undisputed lightweight gold after Ilia Topuria failed to answer the bell for the fifth round of their UFC Freedom 250 showdown in June.
For much of his career, Gaethje chased the title. Now that he sits at the top of the division, he admits the mindset is completely different.
“It’s such a weird place to be in,” Gaethje said. “There’s always been a champion, I’ve always had somebody to chase. Now, being the champion, it’s like I just have to retain and hold onto what I have.”
“I’m not looking at specific opponents. I know the best in the world are gunning for me. So that is the name of the game. I know that it’s going to be one of the best guys in the world.”
“Arman was fighting Oliveira, now he’s fighting someone else, so there’s a couple of big fights that are going to determine who I’ll fight next.”
While Justin Gaethje wants McGregor, the UFC may have other plans. Arman Tsarukyan is set to face Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, with reports suggesting a victory could earn him the next shot at lightweight gold. A win for Ruffy, however, could shake up the title picture and force UFC matchmakers to rethink their plans.
Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway also remain viable options. Both men hold victories over Gaethje and would bring major name value to a championship bout.
