New undisputed UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is already looking ahead to what comes next after defeating Ilia Topuria in the UFC White House main event.
Gaethje says he feels like he will compete again, but he has not committed to his next move or opponent. Arman Tsarukyan is described as the most likely contender for Gaethje's title, though the UFC has not made a decision on the next No. 1 contender.
"For right now, I feel like I’m going to fight again," Gaethje said. "That’s what I feel inside my body. I haven’t made a choice."
Gaethje plans to attend UFC 329 in Las Vegas, where Conor McGregor is scheduled to face Max Holloway in a welterweight bout, and he is paying close attention to that matchup as a potential future option. "Yeah, I’m very interested to see what happens in that fight," he said. "I’m excited about that fight," and added, "I’m excited to be there and then watch it."
Holloway previously knocked out Gaethje at UFC 300 with a late punch in the final round, a result Gaethje feels he has now moved past. "Max definitely knocked me out but I feel like I got that win back with the Ilia Topuria fight."
Gaethje also reiterated his long-standing interest in McGregor. "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," Gaethje said. "Fighting a guy like that obviously does great things for me financially and for my legendary status and stuff like that."
