Conor McGregor could have another blockbuster UFC fight waiting for him if Justin Gaethje gets his way. The newly crowned UFC lightweight champion has named McGregor as his preferred opponent for his first title defence, choosing the former two-division champion over rematches with Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. Gaethje, who stunned Ilia Topuria to win the undisputed lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June, was asked about his options and pointed towards McGregor with a line that is already grabbing headlines: “So I guess McGregor. Fun to shut him up.”
However, there is sizeable catch in this situation. Neither fighter is expected to return to the Octagon in 2026. Gaethje is recovering from hand injuries suffered during his victory over Topuria, while McGregor is also sidelined after his comeback fight in UFC 329 against Max Holloway ended after just 69 seconds. The Irish big mouth suffered a nasty right leg injury. That means the fight Gaethje wants is, at best, a 2027 possibility rather than an immediate title defence.
Conor McGregor Next Fight: Why Justin Gaethje Wants The Irishman
Gaethje has already faced Holloway and Oliveira, losing to both, but he has little interest in running those fights back. His logic is unusual but straightforward: Topuria has already beaten both men, so Gaethje believes his win over Topuria effectively settled those old scores. “It would have been Oliveira or Holloway, but since Topuria beat them, I’m going to go ahead and justify it to myself like I got them back,” he said.
McGregor, meanwhile, is the major name missing from Gaethje’s résumé. The Irishman returned after a five-year absence to face Holloway at UFC 329, but his comeback ended almost immediately after the injury. McGregor has also not won a UFC fight since beating Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246 in January 2020.
Justin Gaethje hasn’t completely closed the door on a fight with Conor McGregor, saying he would entertain the matchup if offered.
“If it came to my table, I would entertain it. But I would doubt that. He’s going through his own stuff. I don’t even want to talk down on that guy… pic.twitter.com/O3h3UtOGe5
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) August 30, 2026
UFC Lightweight Title: Gaethje’s McGregor Fight Could Wait Until 2027
Gaethje was more measured when discussing his title reign, admitting that becoming champion has changed his mindset. “There’s always been a champion, I’ve always had somebody to chase,” he said. “Now, being the champion, it’s like I just have to retain and hold onto what I have.”
He also pointed to Arman Tsarukyan and upcoming lightweight fights that could influence his next challenger. For now, though, Gaethje’s hands and McGregor’s injury have effectively put their potential showdown on ice. If both return healthy in 2027, the undisputed lightweight title could provide the fight with an even bigger stage and Gaethje has already made clear which opponent he wants.
