Justin Gaethje continues to call for a fight with Conor McGregor and he believes a potential title shot could be on the line when they share the Octagon.
Gaethje and McGregor are the only fighters in the top five of the lightweight rankings without opponents as defending champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and number one contender Tony Ferguson are set to tussle for the world title next month while former interim champion Dustin Poirier will face Dan Hooker this May.
Currently at rank four in the UFC lightweight rankings, The 31-year old American is coming off three-straight victories, defeating Donald Cerrone, Edson Barboza, and James Vick all by way of knockout.
Meanwhile, McGregor returned to the cage last January and finished ‘Cowboy’ just 40 seconds into the opening round of their main event welterweight fight at UFC 246.
While the promotion is eager to book the Irishman for a rematch with Khabib, Gaethje said McGregor must beat him first to earn another shot at the 155-pound strap.
Not Waiting
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Gaethje admits he has small chances of fighting the winner of the Khabib vs Ferguson UFC 249 fight.
So instead of waiting for the title shot, he wants to earn it by taking on the former two-division champion in a title eliminator.
“I think I have to look at the big picture whenever I think about it. I think me waiting to fight the winner of Khabib-Tony isn’t realistic. I think I will have to fight again.”
“I think me and Conor need to fight each other to figure out the No. 1 contender. Outside of that, if I need to fight someone else to assure myself of the No. 1 contender’s spot and get the winner of that fight, I’ll do that.”
“As long as that’s a sure thing.”
Great Position
Gaethje is aware that ‘The Notorious’ has the power to choose his next opponent but he insists this is the perfect time for the UFC to book their matchup.
“You know it’s his choice. Conor McGregor] picks who he fights.” he claimed.
“I haven’t necessarily wanted to fight this guy for a while.”
“He said he was going to fight me last year and I was coming off two losses and I was making my way back up the ranks. That was what I was doing.
“Now I’m in a great position to fight for a title and I have him saying he wants to jump ahead. Now I want to fight him cause it’s the right time.”
“It’s the right fight to make.”
(Featured Image Source: YouTube/ ESPN MMA and Instagram/ Conor McGregor)