Justin Gaethje Threatens to “Punch” Dana White in The Nose, if Conor McGregor Gets Title Shot

Recently Justin Gaethje’s manager relayed that Conor McGregor’s road to a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov, has to go through the former WSOF champ. Well, now Gaethje’s fired quite the verbal warning shot in the direction of UFC President Dana White, over his plan to have McGregor challenge for the 155 title.

Gaethje warns he’ll “punch” the UFC President

For months now, Gaethje has been driving for a fight with McGregor. The dangerous fighter and others have argued that McGregor needs to defeat the top-ranked contender, on account of his recent run that includes taking out Donald Cerrone. But, as you likely know, following McGregor’s win over Cerrone at UFC 246, White said the plan is to have the former champ challenge the winner of the Apri 18th bout between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson.

Well, over the weekend, Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, made the following comments about McGregor needing to fight the rugged vet, while speaking to ESPN.

“If Khabib wins on April 18, Conor McGregor is not getting a title shot — simple,” Abdelaziz said. “Dana White is the best promoter of all time because he understands fighting and matchmaking. The only way Conor McGregor can fight for a title is if he beats someone like Justin Gaethje. If he were to do that, it would be hard to deny him.”

In addition, Gaethje told ESPN the following, when asked about the possibility he will not be booked to fight McGregor.

“I cannot take that into account,” said Gaethje. “I’ll get fired. I’ll punch [White] in the f—ing nose. If you’re going to take away an opportunity off my table, then I’m going to f—ing fight you. I don’t know what you want me to do.

“It’s not fair, and I’m not going to stand for it. I’m very levelheaded. I respect the boss. But if he f—ing tries … that, I’m going to war.”

Things could get ugly between the UFC and Gaethje

Now, recently White has acknowledged that McGregor may not want to wait for the winner Khabib – Ferguson, prompting some speculation about a showdown with Gaethje. But, there’s always been talk about a third fight between McGregor and Nate Diaz materializing at some juncture.

In the past, White hasn’t taken kindly to the kind of statement Gaethje made above. So, it will be interesting to see if this sours relations between the promotion and the fighter. If Gaethje doesn’t get the McGregor fight, you have to wonder if we might not see him in action for a while. The other piece to this is that Abdelaziz also manages Khabib, who has also, repeatedly said McGregor needs to score more wins before earning another shot at the belt. In other words, we could be headed for tense times between the UFC and Dominance MMA.