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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Farah Hannoun

Conor McGregor blasts ‘braindead fool’ Justin Gaethje for saying he’d quit if McGregor gets UFC title shot

Justin Gaethje would consider walking away from MMA if Conor McGregor receives a title shot with a win in his comeback bout, and the former UFC two-division champion can’t help but laugh at the idea.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) will return from injury later in the year to take on Michael Chandler in an expected welterweight bout. With McGregor’s lucrative name, a title shot with a win isn’t out of the realm of possibility – especially with fighters constantly calling him out.

If that happens, Gaethje (24-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) will be very disappointed.

“Would I quit if Conor won and they gave him a title shot? Probably,” Gaethje told ESPN. “That’s how hurt I would be by the actions of the company that I represent. But that’s out of my control. I just really hope that doesn’t happen.

“We can imagine a lot of things, but there’s a possibility that that’s the scenario, which I would be devastated, for sure.”

In response, McGregor went on Twitter.

“This braindead fool got a title shot off of one single win and it was vs chandler,” McGregor tweeted. “Yet he will quit and retire if I get the same thing. Classic gathje bird brain. #Jackass Two Title attempt. No wins.”

Gaethje cemented his position among the top lightweight contenders with a majority decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286. He wants to rematch fellow former interim champ Dustin Poirier, who beat him by fourth-round TKO in the 2018 Fight of the Year.

“I’m a much different, more mature fighter, as is (Poirier), but I think we’re two of the best in the world,” Gaethje said. “Neither one of us have a fight lined up, so no-brainer. It leads to big title discussions. I gave the new guys a chance, they proved that they can’t crack it yet with the experienced. At the end of the day, it comes down to their ability to fight a smart fight and not get too tired.”

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