Conor McGregor backs himself to beat ‘atrocious’ Justin Gaethje after his UFC lightweight title win

Conor McGregor isn’t overly impressed by the brand new UFC lightweight champion.

Justin Gaethje stopped Ilia Topuria in 4 rounds to unify the 155lb division at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday evening.

‘The Highlight’ is now searching for his next opponent after ruling out a right away rematch with Topuria.

Should Justin Gaethje retire following his undisputed title win?🤔

On his third attempt, Justin Gaethje finally became the undisputed lightweight champion, pulling off considered one of the largest upsets in combat sports history👏🏼

Conor McGregor predicts potential Justin Gaethje fight

On Tuesday, Conor McGregor was asked how he matches up against the present UFC champions at lightweight and welterweight.

The previous dual-weight UFC champion responded by talking up his likelihood of beating Justin Gaethje.

“I could be after the belts, obviously,” McGregor said on The Ariel Helwani Show.

“Gaethje, when he’s on, he’s good, he’s okay. But when he’s off, he’s atrocious.

“I fancy him handily. I fancy teeing off on Gaethje.”

McGregor seemed less confident when talking about Islam Makhachev, but he welcomed that fight, too.

“Islam, there’s history there,” he added.

“I do know he’s fighting my fellow Irishman [Ian Machado Garry], who I’ve also trained with.

“I’m open for it. I’m open for either.”

How high would Conor McGregor beating Max Holloway at UFC 329 rank amongst the perfect returns?

When will Conor McGregor return?

Conor McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his leg during a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

Five years later, ‘Mystic Mac’ is ready to make his comeback within the foremost event of UFC 329 next month.

McGregor will face Max Holloway in a five-round welterweight fight on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11.

‘Blessed’ was beaten over three rounds once they first fought as featherweight prospects in 2013.

Holloway is the favourite to win their rematch, but when McGregor pulls off the upset, title fights with Justin Gaethje and Islam Makhachev change into an actual possibility.