Conor McGregor opens as the sizable favourite to win a potential lightweight clash against Justin Gaethje.
The former two-division champion made a sensational MMA comeback last January, when he knocked out Donald Cerrone in their UFC 246 main event fight in Las Vegas for his first win in two years.
Showing no signs of rust, McGregor needed only 40 seconds to finish the MMA veteran, making him the only fighter in the UFC to score a knockout victory across the featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight classes.
The Irishman looks to become more active in fighting this year as he sets his sights on exacting revenge on Khabib Nurmagomedov – the undefeated king of 155 pounds who submitted him in October 2018.
But Khabib and his camp has reiterated that McGregor needs to beat Justin Gaethje first before giving him another shot at the lightweight belt.
If the UFC pursues this fight, ‘The Notorious’ will be heavily favoured to win against the fourth-ranked lightweight fighter.
Underway
According to the betting odds released by BetOnline.ag for the potential lightweight bout, McGregor opened as the heavy favourite at -180 while Gaethje emerged as the underdog at +155.
According to ESPN’ Ariel Helwani, talks are already underway for a fight this summer as McGregor and Gaethje are currently the only top five 155-pounders without opponents, with Nurmagomedov set for his title-defence against Tony Ferguson next month while Dustin Poirier is recently paired with Dan Hooker for a showdown this May.
Gaethje, who is a former World Series Of Fighting lightweight champion, has been undefeated in the last three fights, defeating Cerrone, Edson Barboza, and James Vick all by way of knockout.
In six UFC fights, he has recorded two losses, when he suffered back-to-back defeats to Eddie Alvarez and Poirier respectively.
Meanwhile, McGregor currently holds a 10-2 win-loss record in his UFC career and a 22-4 slate overall.
Proving Himself
For his next fight, McGregor vows to give fans another great show as “giving them what they want and entertaining them’ is very important to the Irish star.
“I am willing to fight anyone and have proved that time and time again,” McGregor said when speaking to Bleacher Report (per CBS Sports).
“I look for a good scrap, and if it isn’t going to be that, I have no interest. … The money is not why I do this.”
“I am a very rich man, and my children and those that come after them will be just fine. I love the fight game. I learned many things boxing in Crumlin where I grew up, and my deep love is why I do this today.”
“I will be in the Octagon again soon and fully expect to box again. You will need to stay tuned, but trust me-the fans will enjoy.”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje)