Conor McGregor calls Justin Gaethje 'woeful' when off form

Conor McGregor dismissed new UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje as inconsistent at best, saying the former interim titleholder looks ordinary when he drops below peak form.

McGregor, who faces Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11, told Paramount that Gaethje's ceiling is limited even on good nights. "Justin's OK. When he's on, Justin's OK," McGregor said, per MMA Fighting. "When he's bad, he's atrocious. He's woeful. He slaps his punches a lot."

McGregor eyes welterweight run, not lightweight title chase

The Irishman pointed out that Holloway knocked Gaethje unconscious in their previous meeting, undercutting the appeal of a future clash between himself and the new champion. Despite Gaethje's recent title win over Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House event, McGregor said he's no longer chasing fights at 155 pounds. He fights Holloway at welterweight and plans to stay there.

McGregor, who has two bouts left on his UFC contract, said he wants activity after five years away from competition following the broken leg he suffered in 2021. The promotion reportedly has plans for him to fight again in April 2027 if he gets through Holloway, though nothing is finalized.

Asked about potential opponents, McGregor declined to name names. "I don't rate them. Not on my level," he said. "Rather than saying it and getting into more detail on it, I would rather just show. That I will do."

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Conor McGregor takes aim at new UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje ahead of his return at UFC 329. | MMA Fighting