Justin Gaethje has furiously dismissed Conor McGregor's comeback fight against Michael Chandler insisting he doesn't care.
McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in a second consecutive defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, but has been stepping up his training as he prepares for a UFC comeback. It was announced that the Irishman now has an opponent for his return fight, where he will take on contender Michael Chandler as part of the UFC's latest instalment of series The Ultimate Fighter this year.
There were several alternative options on the table for McGregor's return including fights with Jorge Masvidal and 155lb contender Gaethje. And the American star, who beat Chandler by decision in 2021, has insisted that McGregor only fights people he has beaten in a dismissive rant.
He shouted during an interview with The Schmo: "That makes perfect sense. That man only fights people I beat. So, what else? "I don't f***ing care! I am not paying for that s***." Gaethje has regularly campaigned for a shot at McGregor throughout his career but a fight has never materialised with the pair on different trajectories.
McGregor's return is expected to take place at 170lb after he piled on weight during his time away from the octagon, and the 34-year-old even made his own plea to move up a division to secure the fight. However it is Chandler who will instead receive the call, who the UFC superstar had already agreed to meet during a respectful exchange on social media.
McGregor's coach John Kavanagh has insisted that Gaethje was considered as part of a three-fight shortlist for his return but it is unclear whether any official contact was made. And 'The Highlight' insisted in a previous scathing assessment of McGregor's return that it is more likely McGregor will receive a title shot before he ever accepts a call-out against him.
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He told Sky Sports: "The payday would not be top of my list, the ability to make that man disappear from this sport would be top of my list. I would be very confident. I think he's a b***h. I think he's scared to fight me and his coach is smart enough to not let that happen.
"These guys have had their eye on me forever and they are too chicken s*** to pull the trigger. After I fought Donald Cerrone and knocked him out, he [McGregor] picked Cerrone to fight.
"Do you think that was a chicken-s*** choice or do you think it was a choice you make when you want to be the best in the world? Nobody called [McGregor] out. Especially with that man, I would take every piece of his confidence, shove it in the garbage disposal and grind it up for him. That's who I am and how I play."
