Justin Gaethje could be in the running for Conor McGregor’s return fight.
During the last year, two prominent lightweights in the UFC have been sitting out. Conor McGregor has spent the year healing up from a leg injury but is teasing a return next year. Justin Gaethje fought in May but has been very quiet since. He has not accepted a fight all year and seems to be waiting for a big opportunity. Could a fight between these two be brewing? Gaethje’s manager thinks it would be a great idea.
The last time Gaethje fought was back in May when he lost a title fight to Charles Oliveira by first-round submission. Since coming to the UFC back in 2017, he has been involved in three title fights and has fought some of the best the division has to offer. So far Gaethje and McGregor’s paths have not crossed but if it is up to Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz, that could end soon.
Sipping on some Cuervo with @Justin_Gaethje last week in Vegas pic.twitter.com/dLRE0h5w8u
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) July 6, 2022
Ali Abdelaziz wants to see Justin Gaethje return against Conor McGregor
It appears as if Gaethje is looking for a fight and plans on returning to the Octagon in 2023. His manager Abdelaziz spoke to The Schmo about what he expects from his client when he does return.
“I would like to see Justin Gaethje destroy Conor McGregor and put them in a wheelchair. I would love to see that. (At 170 pounds?) doesn’t matter, anywhere, he can take all the steroids you want. He can take all the EPO everything, whatever you want to take he can take,” he said. I would like to see this fight, but we know he doesn’t like tough fights anymore. He wants easy fights. He’s probably not gonna fight Justin Gaethje.”
McGregor is currently out of the USADA testing pool and must return for six months and test clean before getting back in the cage. He has been accused of taking steroids while out of competition, but this does not bother Abdelaziz, he thinks Gaethje can beat him. It is unclear when Gaethje would like to return, but perhaps waiting the whole six months may be too long.
