Conor McGregor dismisses Justin Gaethje as 'atrocious'

Conor McGregor remains unimpressed by Justin Gaethje despite the lightweight's recent stoppage win over Ilia Topuria at UFC White House.

McGregor, who faces his own test July 11 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, told UFC on Paramount that Gaethje lacks consistency at the highest level. "When he's on, Justin's okay," McGregor said, per MMA Fighting. "When he's bad, he's atrocious. He's woeful. He slaps his punches a lot. But he's very, very durable and he's unorthodox in his style. Max has flatlined Justin. He knocked him out. Face down. Out cold."

McGregor references Holloway knockout from UFC 300

The former two-division champion pointed to Gaethje's knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in early 2024 as evidence the lightweight contender cannot compete with elite opposition. McGregor beat Holloway by decision at UFC Fight Night 26 more than a decade ago, though he sits 1-3 at 155 pounds with three stoppage defeats on his record.

Gaethje captured the UFC White House main event against Topuria earlier this month in the promotion's most-watched event ever. McGregor, who turns 38 in two weeks, said he wants all challengers. "I already held the 155-pound unified UFC world title," he added. "I'm open for business. I wish for activity. I don't rate them. Not on my level."

The Irishman and Gaethje have never fought, largely due to McGregor's repeated layoffs. Whether the matchup materializes could depend on how McGregor performs at UFC 329 in less than two weeks at T-Mobile Arena.

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• MMA Mania — UFC 329’s Conor McGregor unimpressed by ‘atrocious’ Justin Gaethje — ‘Max flatlined him’