New UFC champion Gaethje eyes McGregor fight after stunning Topuria upset

Justin Gaethje is setting his sights on Conor McGregor after claiming the UFC undisputed lightweight title with a stunning victory over Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House main event, declaring he would “love to punch Conor McGregor in the face.”

Speaking on The Jim Rome Show, Gaethje confirmed he intends to compete again once he has recovered, though no decision has been made on his next opponent. “For right now, I feel like I’m going to fight again,” he said. “That’s what I feel inside my body. I haven’t made a choice.”

Arman Tsarukyan is considered the most likely contender for a title shot, with the UFC yet to formally designate a No. 1 challenger. But Gaethje made clear that a fight with McGregor holds obvious appeal, both financially and in terms of legacy.

“There’s no doubt he’s one of the biggest superstars in the sport,” Gaethje said of McGregor. “Fighting a guy like that obviously does great things for me financially and for my legendary status and stuff like that.”

McGregor returns at UFC 329 against Max Holloway in a welterweight contest — a notable matchup given that Holloway famously knocked Gaethje out with one second remaining in their UFC 300 bout, a finish widely regarded as one of the most dramatic in the promotion’s history. Gaethje, however, says he harbours no particular ill will toward Holloway.

“Max definitely knocked me out but I feel like I got that win back with the Ilia Topuria fight,” Gaethje said.

Gaethje confirmed he will be ringside in Las Vegas for UFC 329, and suggested the outcome of the McGregor-Holloway fight could shape his own plans. “I’m excited about that fight. I’m excited to be there and then watch it,” he said.

Whether the UFC would sanction a McGregor title fight ahead of ranked contenders such as Tsarukyan remains an open question, but Gaethje’s interest in the matchup is unambiguous.