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Justin Gaethje Has a Brutal Joke About Fighting Conor McGregor: “I don’t care.”
Justin Gaethje can see the appeal of fighting Conor McGregor. He just doesn’t think McGregor should jump ahead of Arman Tsarukyan for the UFC lightweight title. On the “FLAGRANT” podcast, Gaethje entertained the matchup, joked about McGregor’s injured knee and then made his position on the division clear: “If and when I defend this championship, that will be who I fight.”
Asked about facing McGregor, Gaethje said, “Yeah, it’d be fun… I don’t care. Best case scenario he shows up with a bum knee and gets hurt in the first five seconds.” His idea of a best-case scenario came with a sharp punchline: McGregor shows up and gets hurt in the first five seconds. The joke lands because McGregor’s long-awaited return against Max Holloway ended almost as soon as it began.
Gaethje did not say the fight was being arranged, and he has not committed to another bout. McGregor injured his right knee in the opening seconds of his July fight with Holloway at UFC 329. The bout was stopped 69 seconds into the first round, giving Holloway a TKO win in McGregor’s first appearance in five years. McGregor later disclosed damage to his ACL and meniscus and underwent surgery in August.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 11: Max Holloway faces Conor McGregor of Ireland in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Justin Gaethje Jokes About McGregor’s Knee, Then Names His Rightful Challenger
UFC boss Dana White has said he expects McGregor to be out for a year, while McGregor has discussed a return next summer. Neither timeline puts him in line for an immediate fight with Gaethje. Gaethje has his own recovery to deal with. He beat Ilia Topuria by fourth-round stoppage at June’s UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House lawn, taking the undisputed lightweight championship and handing Topuria his first professional defeat.
Gaethje sustained a hand injury in that fight, and his next defense is not expected until 2027. For now, the champion says he needs to address his injuries before deciding what comes next. That uncertainty hasn’t stopped him from naming the contender he believes has earned the shot.
Justin Gaethje Opens Up on Injuries That Will Keep Him Out Until 2027. [Image via @Justin_Gaethje on X]
Tsarukyan knocked out Mauricio Ruffy in the first round at UFC 331 earlier this month, extending his winning streak to six fights. His case has history, too: he had been scheduled for a lightweight title opportunity at UFC 311 before withdrawing because of injury the day before the fight.
Gaethje’s message after the Ruffy win was direct: “It’s not that I don’t want to fight Arman; it really isn’t. He’s the next in line.” Topuria also wants another crack at Gaethje, but the champion is unconvinced an immediate rematch is the answer. He has suggested Topuria would be better off returning to featherweight and said he doubts the former champion could beat Tsarukyan at lightweight.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia punches Mauricio Ruffy of Brazil in a lightweight fight during the UFC 331 event at Crypto.com Arena on September 19, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
Those are Gaethje’s opinions, not a UFC booking decision; no opponent or date has been announced for his first title defense. There is another reason Gaethje isn’t rushing to sign anything. At 37, he says years of fighting have made him weigh another camp against his long-term health. He wants time to recover and enjoy being champion before making what he called a “business decision and a life decision.” McGregor may be the fight he’d have fun taking. If Gaethje chooses to defend the belt, though, he has already said who should get the call.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Justin Gaethje strikes Ilia Topuria of Spain in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)