Conor McGregor reveals his plans for UFC title quest, Justin Gaethje grudge match going into UFC 329

Conor McGregor appears to be on a quest to become a three-division UFC champion.

The consensus world's premier mixed martial arts organization, the UFC, has had a few two-division UFC champions, including McGregor himself. Nevertheless, no one has been able to capture UFC titles at three separate weight classes yet. 

McGregor, in addition, alluded to a potential fight that many fans and experts have linked him to over the years, a grudge match against longtime rival Justin Gaethje. He's traded several barbs over the years, not only with Gaethje but also with his manager Ali Abdelaziz. 

Conor McGregor is set to headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway, while Justin Gaethje recently headlined UFC Freedom 250

Ex-BMF champion and two-time interim UFC lightweight titlist Justin Gaethje recently bested the then-unbeaten Ilia Topuria. Gaethje defeated Topuria via fourth-round TKO in a UFC lightweight title unifier matchup, which headlined UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. 

On the other hand, former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor is scheduled to rematch ex-UFC featherweight titlist and ex-BMF titleholder Max Holloway. They'll clash in a welterweight matchup, which would headline UFC 329 on July 11. 

"The Notorious" one already boasts a victory over Holloway. He bested the Hawaiian striking savant via unanimous decision in a featherweight clash back in 2013. 

Conor McGregor hints at UFC welterweight title run, addresses possible Justin Gaethje fight

During a recent conversation with Nate Burleson on UFC on Paramount, Conor McGregor was asked about his longstanding feud with Justin Gaethje, one that hasn't culminated in a professional MMA fight as of yet. 

Also, upon being questioned whether he's going to make a run for a UFC world title, McGregor outlined that he's eyeing UFC gold at a third weight class, welterweight. He stated, "For sure. You know, I'm a 170-pound (welterweight) fighter now. I've already held the 155-pound (lightweight) unified UFC world title. I'm open for business. I wish for activity." 

Incidentally, the reigning UFC welterweight champion happens to be another one of McGregor's fierce rivals and an Ali Abdelaziz client, Dagestan's Islam Makhachev. 

Harking back to Max Holloway's fifth-round KO win over Justin Gaethje in their BMF title fight from 2024, McGregor continued, "You know, I have a great fight in front of me. Max has flatlined Justin (Gaethje). He knocked him (Gaethje) out, face down, out cold. Justin's okay. When he's on, Justin's okay. When he's bad, he's atrocious. He's woeful." 

The Irishman indicated that Gaethje has a penchant for slapping his punches a lot, but he highlighted that the American fighter is durable and possesses an unorthodox style. 

Moreover, when asked if he has a hit-list of potential opponents, McGregor implied that be does but is more focused on fighting more frequently rather than on whom he fights. The 37-year-old said: 

"There's a few names, for sure. I have just moreso, activity. I wish to just compete." He spoke about wanting "all the smoke," seemingly reaffirming that he has no qualms taking on all challengers. 

Furthermore, the Dubliner emphasized that he doesn't "rate" any of his potential opponents and that they're not on his level. McGregor signaled, however, that he'd let his actions speak in lieu of getting into more detail about why he doesn't rate his rivals.

"Mystic Mac's" much-awaited rematch against Holloway would mark his first MMA fight since July of 2021. 

 

Watch Conor McGregor discuss his three-division champion goal and the oft-discussed Justin Gaethje matchup below (*comments at the 10:07-minute mark of the video):