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Nicolas Atkin

Justin Gaethje isn’t entertaining the idea of a fight with Conor McGregor any time soon, saying he wants the “biggest challenge” in UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
But that doesn’t mean the new interim champ hasn’t got his sights set on the Irishman.


“No, I want the biggest challenge in the world and that's Khabib Nurmagomedov,” Gaethje said at the UFC 249 post-event press conference, when asked if he would possibly think of fighting McGregor next instead of Nurmagomedov.
“USA vs Dagestan and then I'll go to Ireland and do what I gotta do.”
Gaethje shocked the MMA world and shook up the UFC lightweight division with an upset victory over Tony Ferguson in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday night.


But while he wore his new belt for his post-event media duties, Gaethje threw the interim title down in the centre of the Octagon after UFC president Dana White had wrapped it around his waist, saying “I want the real one”.
“It feels great, that's the competitor in me, the mindset that I have to have to face Khabib,” he said. “I can't think of myself as the champion because I'm not – Khabib’s still there.
“Again, I can't become complacent. It's always the first fight – the people that think they're infallible, that's what will kill you in this sport.
“My lights can turn off, I'm human. As soon as you shake it, I could go to sleep. I almost did in the second [round vs Ferguson], but the good thing is I'm fighting humans.”

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UFC 249

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Dana White puts the interim lightweight belt on Justin Gaethje after his win against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

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Tony Ferguson hits Justin Gaethje with a right hand at UFC 249. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

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Tony Ferguson prepares to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. Photo: AFP

May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tony Ferguson (red gloves) fights Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 249: Justin Gaethje stops Tony Ferguson to turn lightweight division on its head and set up Khabib fight

Justin Gaethje hits Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Photos: USA Today

May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Dana White puts the championship belt on Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) after defeating Tony Ferguson (red gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Tony Ferguson (red gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 249: Tony Ferguson dances in his hospital gown a day after devastating loss to Justin Gaethje

Tony Ferguson posts a selfie in his hospital bed with his wife, showing off his broken orbital bone. Photo: Instagram/@tonyfergusonxt

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Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza with Fabricio Werdum after the weigh-ins at the UFC 249 hotel in Florida. Photo: Instagram

May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Dana White in the octagon after the fight between Henry Cejudo (red gloves) and Dominick Cruz (blue gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


New interim champ isn’t entertaining idea of a fight with McGregor before he unifies lightweight titles
‘No, I want the biggest challenge in the world and that’s Khabib Nurmagomedov,’ says Gaethje



Justin Gaethje isn’t entertaining a fight with Conor McGregor any time soon, but says ‘I’ll go to Ireland and do what I gotta do’ after he gets done with Khabib Nurmagomedov.


Justin Gaethje

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Conor McGregor