Justin Gaethje is on “the list.”
Ahead of his Jan. 18 return against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, Conor McGregor has his sights set on a potential follow-up opponent.
Over the past few months, Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) have traded barbs on social media and through interviews. The two fighters were even linked to a potential matchup this past summer, which fell through due to McGregor’s arrest.
In his first interview since his comeback was made official, McGregor said Gaethje is on his “list.”
“He is on the list,” McGregor told TheMacLife.com. “Maybe I will face him next. Maybe I’ll face him next. He has it coming to him. I laugh at how Justin has … he’s a funny guy.
“He’s been taking it very to heart. I know the feeling when you do that. Maybe I’ll get through Donald and I’ll have a quick turnaround against Justin. Maybe that’s what will happen. But Justin is on the list, no doubt.”
Gaethje has voiced his displeasure with the UFC’s apparent lightweight divisional roadmap at the moment. It appears when it comes to the title picture, he’s the odd man out.
UFC president Dana White recently said he might rematch Khabib Nurmagomedov against McGregor if they both win their upcoming matchups. He also criticized Gaethje for not taking fights offered to him.
Thursday, Gaethje revealed he was offered Charles Oliveira and Dan Hooker. He turned both down. Gaethje said he was confused about the UFC president’s planning.
“He has people above him telling him to put the fight together,” Gaethje said. “This is the fight that’s going to make the most money. I’m sure, just looking from the outside in. So I’m guessing why he’s saying those things. I don’t think he’s actually trying to make me me look bad.
“I’ve done everything that man could ever want from a fighter or an employee or someone that he pays money to watch. So I don’t think it’s necessarily anything personal against me, I think it’s people above him telling him they have to make that fight no matter what.”
UFC 246 takes place Jan. 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
