Following his impressive victory in the UFC 291 BMF title fight, Justin Gaethje is enjoying a moment of triumph.
Gaethje, also known as “The Highlight,” delivered a spectacular head-kick knockout against Dustin Poirier during their highly anticipated rematch. The lively first round showcased the potential for a stunning finish and Gaethje seized his opportunity just one minute into the second round.
Conor McGregor, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, responded to Gaethje’s win by challenging him to a fight and asserting he could defeat the new BMF champion in a single round. Gaethje, however, dismissed these claims during his post-fight press conference, showing little interest and maintaining neutrality until McGregor makes a legitimate comeback.
“Who can tell?” Gaethje responded to TMZ Sports regarding a potential fight with McGregor. “Until a contract is signed, the talk is just that – talk. If a contract ever comes my way, that would certainly spark an interesting conversation with my family and my coaches.
“He’s turned down fights with me six times for a reason. The way one loses to me could damage the McGregor brand. He’s always making comments, trying to steal the spotlight from those actually fighting. I understand it’s all part of the entertainment, but I’d rather not get sucked into that.”
McGregor is currently starring as a coach in The Ultimate Fighter 31 (TUF) opposite Michael Chandler. While the show’s tradition suggests the coaches will eventually face off, McGregor has yet to re-enter the USADA testing pool since his exit in 2022 following a leg injury. He will require six months of testing to be cleared to return, unless exceptions are made.
For Gaethje, the events following UFC 291 are reminiscent of the period leading up to his first UFC title shot in 2020.
Gaethje’s remarkable victory over Poirier has strategically positioned him in the division as a likely contender for the winner of October’s 155-pound title rematch. The reigning champion Islam Makhachev and challenger Charles Oliveira will repeat their October 2022 clash later this year in the UFC 294 main event in Abu Dhabi.
Despite falling short in his previous two attempts for undisputed gold against Nurmagomedov and Oliveira, Gaethje remains optimistic about another shot at the undisputed title.
“That would be the perfect scenario,” Gaethje mentioned regarding another title shot. “That’s my aim and my plan. With UFC, however, you can never be certain. You must always be mentally prepared to return to training.”
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Who should Justin Gaethje fight next?
Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 winner
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Justin Gaethje
Who won the UFC 291 BMF title?
Justin Gaethje won the UFC 291 BMF title, beating Dustin Poirier with a head-kick knockout in their rematch.
How did Conor McGregor respond to Gaethje’s victory?
After Justin Gaethje’s win at UFC 291, Conor McGregor challenged him to a fight, asserting that he could defeat the new BMF champion in a single round.
What was Gaethje’s response to McGregor’s challenge?
Justin Gaethje dismissed McGregor’s challenge during his post-fight press conference, showing little interest and maintaining neutrality until McGregor makes a legitimate comeback. He also noted that McGregor has previously turned down six fights with him.
What are Gaethje’s next potential moves in the UFC?
Gaethje is well-positioned in his division following his victory over Poirier, making him a likely contender for the winner of the 155-pound title rematch between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and challenger Charles Oliveira.
What was Gaethje’s reaction to the idea of another title shot?
Justin Gaethje stated that another title shot would be the perfect scenario for him and it’s part of his goal moving forward in the UFC.
More about Justin Gaethje
- Justin Gaethje’s UFC Profile
- Conor McGregor’s UFC Profile
- UFC 291 Results
- The Ultimate Fighter 31 (TUF)
- USADA Testing Pool Information
- UFC 294 Preview
5 comments
Wow, Gaethje really dominated that fight huh? Think he’s got a shot at the title again!
gaethje vs mcgregor, now that’s a fight I’d pay to see!! make it happen Dana.
i mean, Conor, six times? really? how about stepping up instead of just talking big.
can’t wait to see the Makhachev vs Oliveira rematch! Whoever wins, a fight with Gaethje is gonna be epic.
McGregors all talk these days… come on Conor, step back in the ring and prove urself!!