Justin Gaethje took a shot at Conor McGregor’s choice for his UFC return fight.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) will coach “The Ultimate Fighter 31” opposite Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC), and the pair are expected to fight after the show airs. It debuts May 30 on ESPN and ESPN+, with the conclusion of the season set for Aug. 15 after weekly Tuesday episodes.
Gaethje’s most recent win came in a 2021 Fight of the Year war against Chandler at UFC 268. McGregor’s last victory came in January 2020, when he quickly knocked out Donald Cerrone – who was coming off a TKO loss to Gaethje.
“It makes perfect sense,” Gaethje told The Schmo. “That man only fights people I beat. So what else?”
As for who he thinks will win? Gaethje said, “I don’t f*cking care.”
Gaethje (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) is focused only on his upcoming battle with Rafael Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in the UFC 286 co-headliner on March 18 at The O2 in London.
“Trust in the preparation, the hard work, life-long commitment that I put into this, and go in there and put that motherf*cker to sleep,” Gaethje said.
“I do what I do. March 18 I’m going to blow the roof off The O2 Arena. Every person in attendance will get their adrenaline rush and their money’s worth.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.
