Gaethje Calls Out McGregor After Topuria Win

Justin Gaethje says his knockout win over Ilia Topuria at UFC White House settled old scores with Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira without ever having to face them again.

Gaethje was stopped by Holloway and submitted by Oliveira in previous fights, but he told CBS Sports that Topuria's own finishes of both men mean the new lightweight champion effectively got revenge by proxy. "It would have been Oliveira or Holloway, but since Topuria beat them, I'm going to go ahead and justify it to myself like I got them back," Gaethje said. "So I guess McGregor. Fun to shut him up."

What Gaethje Said About Life As Champion

The former interim titleholder admitted adjusting to life at the top has brought unfamiliar pressure. "It's such a weird place to be in," he told the outlet. "There's always been a champion, I've always had somebody to chase. Now, being the champion, it's like I just have to retain and hold onto what I have."

Gaethje acknowledged several contenders are in the mix, including Arman Tsarukyan, who was originally booked against Oliveira before that matchup fell through. McGregor remains sidelined until 2027 after suffering a knee injury at UFC 329 in Las Vegas earlier this year, which likely rules out an immediate title shot even if UFC brass were inclined to grant one.

The lightweight division faces a logjam with Tsarukyan now matched against a different opponent, per MMA Mania, leaving the timeline for Gaethje's first defence unclear.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — MMA math! Justin Gaethje avenged losses to Holloway, Oliveira by smashing Ilia Topuria, sets sights on Conor McGregor