Conor McGregor is not sold on Justin Gaethje’s place among the lightweight elite, even after Gaethje handed Ilia Topuria his first UFC loss earlier this month.
Gaethje became the first UFC fighter to defeat Topuria in the UFC White House main event in Washington, DC, an event described as the most-watched UFC event of all time. The win further elevated Gaethje in the division where McGregor is 1-3, with all three of his losses coming by stoppage.
McGregor, however, downplayed Gaethje’s standing and pointed to his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in early 2024. “Justin’s okay,” McGregor said. “When he’s on, Justin’s okay. When he’s bad, he’s atrocious. He’s woeful. He slaps his punches a lot. But he’s very, very durable and he’s unorthodox in his style. Max has flatlined Justin. He knocked him out. Face down. Out cold.”
The former champion also reminded that, “I already held the 155-pound unified UFC world title,” and made it clear he still sees himself as the man to beat at lightweight. “I’m open for business. I wish for activity. I’ve got a great fight in front of me. I want the smoke. I want all the smoke. For sure. Bring it all on. I don’t rate them. Not on my level. Rather than saying it, I would rather just show. That I will do.”
McGregor is scheduled to fight on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and a future matchup with Gaethje could depend on his performance at UFC 329.
