Conor McGregor dismissed Justin Gaethje as a future opponent on Wednesday and said he is not even thinking about a return to lightweight right now. Speaking at UFC 329 media day, he brushed off the champion’s interest and made clear his focus is elsewhere.
That matters because Gaethje is the undisputed lightweight champion, and he has been calling for a fight. McGregor, who has not fought in five years, answered with a shrug and a jab: “Join the queue.” He added that there were “a few” calling for the matchup, then cut in harder. “Look, he has the lightweight belt, fair play to him,” he said, before adding, “Holloway put him face down, ass up [at UFC 300], though.”
McGregor’s comments land now because he is trying to reset after a long absence and sell the idea that his return is about momentum, not nostalgia. He said, “Nothing better than proving people wrong,” and added, “The business is on the rise. The money is coming in. The Mac’ is back.” He also said, “I fancy the triple crown,” a line that points to a third title chase, not a quick pivot back to lightweight for Gaethje.
There is still friction in the middle of that picture. Gaethje said he would love to punch McGregor in the face, but McGregor waved him off and openly questioned whether he would go down to lightweight again. “So I’m not even thinking of it at this time,” he said. “Would I go down to lightweight again? Also that’s another thing I’m not so sure.” He then sharpened the dismissal with, “Less with the disrespect, you f*cking bum.”
McGregor’s next assignment is already set. He is scheduled to fight Max Holloway on Saturday night at UFC 329, and that bout now looks like the real test of whether his comeback is more than a slogan. If he wins and stays on the path he described, the lightweight question can wait. If he does not, talk of Justin Gaethje may fade before it ever turns into a fight.
