Justin Gaethje just won the UFC lightweight title by defeating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. Following the massive upset, he’s skipping past the usual rematch queue.
Rather than targeting any of the division’s ranked contenders, “The Highlight” used his first post-championship media appearance to name Conor McGregor as the opponent he actually wants. And his explanation is as unfiltered as his fighting style.
Justin Gaethje Eyes Conor McGregor Fight Next
The 37-year-old spoke to Damien Harris on Paramount+ following his title win, and his preferred next opponent caught most people off guard.
Gaethje had previously lost to Charles Oliveira via first-round submission at UFC 274, followed by a brutal final-second knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024. Both results left unfinished business on his record.
However, he explained that knocking out Topuria at the White House card settled those debts by proxy. His logic comes down to the fact that Topuria had just finished both men in spectacular fashion. Just to recap, Topuria knocked out Holloway in the third round at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi and stopped Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317 in Las Vegas right before Gaethje took the belt from him.
When the CBS Sports reporter pushed him on who he wanted next, Gaethje replied, “Damn, there’s really no one. It would have been Oliveira or Holloway, but since [Ilia] 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.”
His shocking callout did not come out of nowhere. Earlier this month, the “Irishman” insulted Gaethje during his own Paramount+ interview, calling his skills “atrocious” and “woeful.” Gaethje clearly heard the trash talk. Now that he holds the lightweight belt McGregor wants back, the new champion has all the leverage.
Injuries Block Justin Gaethje vs. Conor McGregor Megafight
Making this fight happen will not be easy due to serious logistical roadblocks. Gaethje broke his hand in the Topuria fight and has already ruled out competing for the rest of 2026. That alone pushes his first title defense into 2027.
McGregor’s timeline is even longer. Following his first-round TKO loss to Holloway at UFC 329, medical staff confirmed he tore his ACL. The recovery typically takes a full year. Moreover, “The Notorious” has confirmed that he is targeting International Fight Week 2027 for his “Last Dance.”
In the meantime, top-ranked contenders like Arman Tsarukyan are left waiting with no clear path to a title fight. The division is effectively frozen while the champion heals and tracks a megafight that the UFC would easily back if the medical timelines ever line up.
