Conor McGregor’s potential next opponent to be ringside for UFC comeback
· Yahoo Sports
Justin Gaethje has said he will be ringside for Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback, while reiterating his desire to face the former champion.
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On 11 July, McGregor will fight for the first time in five years as he faces Max Holloway, whom he outpointed in 2013.
McGregor’s last fight ended with the Irishman suffering a broken leg, as he suffered a second consecutive loss to Dustin Poirier, before a 2024 comeback against Michael Chandler collapsed on two weeks’ notice; on that occasion, McGregor broke his toe.
Conor McGregor at the 2020 Grammy Awards (AFP/Getty)Meanwhile, Holloway has been active, and while he has not held a traditional UFC title since 2019, he did hold the “Baddest Motherf*****” belt from April 2024 until this March. The Hawaiian lost the strap in a decision defeat by Charles Oliveira, having won it with an all-time great knockout of Gaethje.
Now Gaethje is an official champion himself, having secured that status at the third time of asking when he stopped Ilia Topuria this month. Topuria, who was unbeaten before facing Gaethje and who knocked out Holloway in 2024, retired on his stool after the fourth round, as Gaethje became lightweight champion at the White House.
And having ruled out an instant rematch with Topuria, the American has talked up a possible clash with McGregor – a bout that has been a dream fight for many fans for years.
“For right now, I feel like I’m going to fight again,” said Gaethje, 37, on The Jim Rome Show. “That’s what I feel inside my body. I haven’t made a choice.
“I’m very interested to see what happens in that fight, [between McGregor and Holloway]. Max definitely knocked me out, but I feel like I got that win back with the Ilia Topuria fight.
“As I’ve stated hundreds of times publicly. I would love to punch Conor McGregor in the face.
“There’s no doubt he’s one of the biggest superstars in the sport. Fighting a guy like that obviously does great things for me financially, and for my legendary status and stuff like that.
Justin Gaethje (right) recovered from a knockdown to stop Ilia Topuria (Reuters)“I’m excited about that fight. I’m excited to be there and then watch it.”
McGregor, 37, recently told journalist Ariel Helwani that he already knows the date of his next fight, which is the final bout of his current contract. McGregor claimed the fight will take place next April.
“It’s almost a year later, that’s ridiculous to me. I think, no?” McGregor said. “This is the way the contract was done, I don’t know. You’d have to ask Audie [Attar, manager] on all of that. I’m like: ‘Huh? Just give me the f***ing contract.’ It gets to that stage.
“I have 11 July, it’s only round the corner. Yep, that’s positivity, happiness, don’t wanna go too much on all that [other stuff]. I’ve got the fight, I’ve got the date. I feel great. Bring it on, baby. The Mac is back, and I’m gonna put on a show here in this fight.”