Justin Gaethje says fighting Conor McGregor would be fun and jokes that McGregor could get hurt in the first five seconds, but he still points to Arman Tsarukyan as the next contender for his UFC lightweight title.
Asked about McGregor on the Flagrant podcast last week, the champion 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.”
The joke lands because McGregor’s UFC 329 return against Max Holloway ended 69 seconds into the first round after McGregor hurt his right knee. McGregor is recovering from surgery and has said he wants retribution against Holloway next summer.
Gaethje did not say a McGregor fight is being arranged. On the same podcast, he said of Tsarukyan, “He’s the next in line; if and when I defend this championship, that will be who I fight.” He also said he has not decided whether to defend the title. “I have injuries I have to take care of,” Gaethje said, and “I haven’t made a decision.” He is 37.
Tsarukyan knocked out Mauricio Ruffy in the first round at UFC 331 on September 19 for his sixth straight win. Gaethje unified the lightweight title in June by beating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn, and Nate Diaz has since called Topuria a punching bag over that loss.
