Justin Gaethje was disappointed by his second-round submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254, but he also kept an optimistic outlook about his future.
With Nurmagomedov relinquishing the title on Saturday in Fight Island, Gaethje looked forward to a quick return and eyed a fight for the vacant belt against Conor McGregor.
“With [Nurmagomedov] retiring, I’m No. 1,” Gaethje told UFC broadcaster Megan Olivi moments after his defeat. “[Dustin] Poirier and McGregor are going to fight. They haven’t made it official, so if McGregor wants to bounce out and get the belt, I’m right here.