Conor McGregor Calls Out Justin Gaethje, Most of Lightweight Division in Twitter Rant

Conor McGregor pushed for a fight against UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Geathje on Monday, part of a Twitter rant in which the former two-division titleholder shared his thoughts on many of the top contenders at 155 pounds.

McGregor tried to position himself as a better opponent for Gaethje than undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje Appears Destined for Fight Island

UFC president Dana White told ESPN 1000 in Chicago that he expects Nurmagomedov and Gaethje to face off in a unification bout, perhaps as early as this summer. That bout would likely take place on “Fight Island,” the location that the UFC is building up for international fights. White hopes that the island – which he says will have an arena and a training facility – will be ready by June.

“I don’t know if [Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje] will be the first one, but it will be on ‘Fight Island’ unless, miraculously, the world comes back together faster than I think it’s gonna,” White told the radio station.

Despite White’s claim, McGregor tweeted a challenge to Gaethje saying that he is a far more dangerous foe than Nurmagomedov.

“Justin, there is no danger in a man that hugs legs, we all know,” McGregor tweeted. “Try and dance around what the real threat is here all you want. I am going to f—ing butcher you.”

PointsBet sees Geathje as a -150 favorite in a hypothetical matchup against McGregor (+115).

McGregor also hit out at Nurmagomdov. Ferguson and Nurmagomedov planned to fight at UFC 249, before Nurmagomedov was unable to make it back to the United States due to coronavirus travel bans. Ferguson accused Nurmagomedov of ducking him, and McGregor attacked the champion on similar grounds.

“Khabib you absolute embarrassment. Scurrying, hiding rat as usual,” McGregor wrote. “As I have said many times. As has been seen many times … an embarrassment to real fighting.”

McGregor also had comments pointed toward Ferguson after his brutal loss at UFC 249, and toward Dustin Poirier, who he pegged as a good next matchup for Ferguson.

McGregor Hints at Summer Return

No matter what McGregor wants, however, it’s unlikely he’ll get a shot at Gaethje anytime soon. Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Gaethje and Nurmagomedov, made it clear that his two clients are in line for a title fight before anyone else gets a shot.

“He had a chance to fight Justin in January and he picked [Donald Cerrone] instead,” Abdelaziz told ESPN. “He picked the easier fight. Now, the two kinds of the division will fight. Maybe Conor can fight someone in the co-main event.”

McGregor has also called out Nate Diaz in recent days, calling for him to “sign the contract” on Instagram.

Regardless of the opponent, it does seem increasingly likely that McGregor will fight again soon. White told ESPN that he expects McGregor to fight someone over the summer, and McGregor himself tweeted a hint that it won’t be long before he’s back in the Octagon.

“See you in July,” he wrote.