The "Face Down, Out Cold" KO That Conor McGregor Says Proves Justin Gaethje Isn't Elite

Yo, Seattle! You hear this wild stuff from Conor McGregor? The dude just went off, and it’s straight fire, especially coming right after Justin Gaethje bagged one of the biggest wins of his career. Gaethje just did something nobody else has: he stopped Ilia Topuria, "El Matador," in the main event at UFC White House. Not only that, it was the most-watched UFC event EVER. You’d think that would earn some respect, right? Think again, says "The Notorious" one. McGregor, who's got his own fight coming up, is completely unimpressed, and he's not holding back.

Conor McGregor Just Blew Up Gaethje's Hype Train

Let's be real, Justin Gaethje just beat the brakes off Ilia Topuria, becoming the first UFC fighter to do it. That's a huge W, a monumental moment for "The Highlight." But if you thought Conor McGregor was gonna give him props and welcome him to the top tier, you clearly haven't been paying attention. McGregor, who's currently sitting on a 1-3 record in Gaethje's division and got stopped in all three of those losses, is apparently still not buying the hype. He told UFC on Paramount that while Gaethje might be "durable" and "unorthodox," he's also "atrocious" and "woeful" when he's off his game. Talk about a cold shower for Gaethje's celebration!

"Max Flatlined Him": The KO That Still Haunts Gaethje

McGregor didn't stop there. H

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e went straight for the jugular, bringing up the devastating knockout Gaethje suffered at the hands of Max Holloway back at UFC 300 in early 2024. This is the stuff that gets stuck in your head as a fight fan, right? McGregor didn't mince words, basically saying that one loss overshadows any recent wins. "Max has flatlined Justin. He knocked him out. Face down. Out cold," McGregor stated. You can almost feel the sting from that quote. It's a brutal reminder of a moment no fighter wants to relive, and McGregor is making sure everyone remembers it loud and clear. He even added that Gaethje "slaps his punches a lot." Ouch!

McGregor Wants All the Smoke, On His Terms

So, what's McGregor's play here? The man, who's almost 38, is still talking like he owns the 155-pound division, reminding everyone he "already held the 155-pound unified UFC world title." He's "open for business" and "wishes for activity." He declared, "I don't rate them. Not on my level. Rather than saying it, I would rather just show." He's got a big fight coming up on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, boasting a 22-6 record compared to Gaethje's 28-5. They've never actually fought before, mainly because of McGregor's repeated layoffs. But if "Notorious" performs well at UFC 329, you can bet your last dollar we're gonna hear a whole lot more about a potential showdown. Get ready, Emerald City, because if McGregor shows up, this division is about to get even crazier!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.