Justin Gaethje reiterates that he would ‘love’ to punch Conor McGregor in the face

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has said that he would love to punch potential opponent Conor McGregor in the face.

Right now, Justin Gaethje is living his best life. He is coming off the back of his first-ever undisputed UFC lightweight title triumph after he was able to knock off the previously undefeated Ilia Topuria in their blockbuster main event at UFC Freedom 250.

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The first question for many, of course, is what’s next? Gaethje has long since spoken about a route out of mixed martial arts, mainly because of how many wars he has been involved in and how much damage he has taken over the course of his career.

In a recent interview, though, Gaethje made it clear that a showdown with Conor McGregor is something that he would welcome.

“As I’ve stated hundreds of times publicly: I would love to punch Conor McGregor in the face.”@Justin_Gaethje on the #UFC legend’s return to the Octagon. pic.twitter.com/hYdNy6p1v6

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 26, 2026

Gaethje wants all the smoke with McGregor

“For right now, I feel like I’m going to fight again,” Gaethje told The Jim Rome Show. “That’s what I feel inside my body. I haven’t made a choice.”

“Yeah, I’m very interested to see what happens in that fight,” Gaethje said. “Max definitely knocked me out but I feel like I got that win back with the Ilia Topuria fight.

“As I’ve stated hundreds of times publicly. I would love to punch Conor McGregor in the face.”

“There’s no doubt he’s one of the biggest superstars in the sport,” Gaethje said about McGregor. “Fighting a guy like that obviously does great things for me financially and for my legendary status and stuff like that.”

“I’m excited about that fight,” Gaethje said. “I’m excited to be there and then watch it.”

Quotes via MMA Fighting

Would you be interested in seeing Justin Gaethje vs Conor McGregor, and if it did happen, who would you back to pick up the win and how? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!