.According to Dominance MMA head Ali Abdelaziz, the rumored fight between Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje isn’t happening.
After news emerged that discussions between both Gaethje and McGregor’s teams have started regarding a summer showdown, Gaethje’s manager Abdelaziz took to Twitter to shut those talks down.
He says McGregor missed his chance when he opted to face Donald Cerrone instead of Gaethje in his January return fight, and that Gaethje is the rightful No. 1 contender as it stands.
“This rumor about @Justin_Gaethje fighting vs @TheNotoriousMMA is absolutely false. He had the opportunity to fight him already instead of cowboy but he didn’t. Justin is the number one contender and like khabib said. Conor needs to win 10 fights.”
However, Gaethje has continuously been calling McGregor out, and even said he’s willing to go to Dublin to face him. While it’s highly unlikely that McGregor will ever compete in Dublin again in his UFC career due to a lack of a suitable venue, Gaethje is game to head to enemy territory for the fight.
“You kidding me. I would love to fight in the most hostile environment on earth. That would be scary but beyond an experience of a lifetime. Bring the heat. #ufc”
Gaethje has won his last three in a row, by knocking out James Vick, Edson Barboza and Donald Cerrone, all in the first round. He has positioned himself as one of the top contenders at 155 pounds, but with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s next fight already booked against Tony Ferguson in April, Gaethje will likely have to take another fight in the meantime.
If his heart is set on Dublin, there is another lightweight looking to make the trip: Paul Felder.
Ali Abdelaziz shuts down Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje rumor: It's 'absolutely false'
