Gaethje Calls Out McGregor, Skips Holloway Rematch

Justin Gaethje says he would rather fight Conor McGregor than run back his previous losses to Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, even though McGregor is not expected back in the octagon until 2027.

Gaethje made the comments after upsetting Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight title, telling CBS Sports he sees no need to chase old grudges now that he is champion. Both Holloway and Oliveira have beaten Gaethje in the past, Holloway by knockout and Oliveira by submission, but Gaethje argued that beating Topuria already squares the ledger since Topuria had finished both of them in previous title fights.

Why Gaethje Is Talking McGregor Instead of Holloway or Oliveira

Gaethje made clear he is not chasing a rematch with either Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira despite both being in the lightweight title mix. "So I guess McGregor. Fun to shut him up," Gaethje said, using a bit of MMA math to explain his reasoning: since Topuria had already finished both Holloway and Oliveira in previous title fights, beating Topuria effectively closed the book on Gaethje's own losses to them. As champion, Gaethje said he is not fixated on any one name. "I'm not looking at specific opponents, I know the best in the world are gunning for me," he said, adding that matchups like Arman Tsarukyan's next fight will help sort out who actually deserves the next shot.

McGregor's Timeline Is the Problem

Conor McGregor is not currently a realistic option for Gaethje's first title defense. McGregor suffered a serious knee injury just 19 seconds into his comeback fight against Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas and is not expected to return to the octagon until 2027. That kind of layoff makes it hard to see the UFC parking its lightweight title on a fight with no firm date, and there is no indication McGregor is closer to booked than that.

Betting Angle

Until the UFC actually books Gaethje's next defense, sportsbooks have nothing concrete to price. Gaethje enters this stretch as champion off a stunning corner-stoppage win over Topuria, and the market will likely wait on word from the UFC on names like Tsarukyan before setting meaningful lines. A McGregor fight, if it ever happens, would draw enormous betting interest given his name value, but with his return more than a year away, that market is purely theoretical for now. Bettors are better served watching how the Tsarukyan situation shakes out, since that outcome will shape who Gaethje actually fights next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Justin Gaethje say he wants to fight Conor McGregor?

Yes, Justin Gaethje said fighting Conor McGregor would be fun after winning the UFC lightweight title from Ilia Topuria, calling it a chance to 'shut him up.'

Why isn't Justin Gaethje fighting Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira next?

Gaethje argued he does not need to avenge his losses to Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira because Ilia Topuria, whom Gaethje just beat for the title, had already finished both fighters in previous title bouts.

When is Conor McGregor expected to fight again?

Conor McGregor is not expected back in the UFC until 2027 after suffering a serious knee injury 19 seconds into his UFC 329 comeback fight against Max Holloway.