Conor McGregor has turned me down six times, says Justin Gaethje
- Doug Mattushek
- 2 August 2023
UFC's new BMF title holder Justin Gaethje says Conor McGregor keeps ducking his fights.
It's time for Conor McGregor to walk the talk, says Justin Gaethje...
Gaethje earned an impressive KO win over perennial UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 on Sunday. Back in 2018, the duo squared off for the first time in a fight for the ages, with Poirier emerging victorious via TKO.
But this past weekend, it was Gaethje singing the redemption song, as he landed a superb right head kick for his 20th KO win of his career and the token BMF belt relinquished by the recently retired Jorge Masvidal.
McGregor was quick to get on the socials, tweeting "I KO him one shot. Guarantee it". When quizzed by TMZ Sports, Gaethje wasn't buying any of it.
"Words are just words," said the American.
"If I was ever to get a contract, it would be a fun conversation that I would have with my family and my coaches.
"There's a reason that he has turned me down six times. How you lose to me is not how you can lose and continue to be Conor McGregor. That's a big risk for him and he's always saying something, trying to take the light away from people fighting in the cage. Whatever. I know it's entertainment but I don't really want to buy into that and play that game."
McGregor has fought since breaking his leg in his second loss to Poirier in July 2021. The Irishman is yet to enter USADA's testing pool, where he has to sppend at least six mponths before fighting.
As for Gaethje, Saturday's vicotry moved him to second in the UFC lightweight rankings, behind Charles Oliveira, who choked him out just last year.
Nonethless, Gaethje is hoping for a chance at glory against division champion Islam Makhachev. The Indomitable Russian - astudent of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov - is on a 12 fight win streak.
"That would be ideal," Gaethje said of a potential title shot.
"I think so and that's my plan, that's my goal. I'm going to get right back to training with that in mind. But with UFC, you never know. You just gotta stay mentally ready to start training because these are long camps so you got to be mentally ready so you kind of try to stay a little bit halfway in between. Because who knows what's gonna happen?"
