Justin Gaethje, the fan-favorite UFC lightweight, has created his own dream fight card while sidelined from competition, highlighting why he was overlooked for the UFC 317 headline bout later this month. Despite being passed over for the vacant lightweight title fight, Gaethje’s fantasy lineup features marquee matchups, including a highly anticipated clash between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Gaethje’s Exclusion from August’s UFC 317 Title Bout

As UFC 317 approaches, Gaethje finds himself sidelined from the main event, which will see Charles Oliveira face Ilia Topuria for lightweight supremacy during International Fight Week. A former interim lightweight champion and the holder of the symbolic BMF title, Gaethje has not been granted another immediate shot at undisputed gold. His manager has suggested that if Gaethje is overlooked once more, retirement from the sport could be imminent.

Constructing a Star-Studded Dream Fight Card

While away from the Octagon, Gaethje has taken on the role of matchmaker, assembling a fight card packed with top-tier bouts. He envisions a main event pitting a prime Ronda Rousey against a relatively inexperienced Amanda Nunes, a matchup that would surely captivate fans. The card’s centerpiece, according to Gaethje, would be the bitter rivals Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor resuming their heated rivalry inside the cage.

In the co-main event spot, Gaethje imagines a trilogy fight between longtime rivals Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, elevating the card’s profile with two of the sport’s greatest fighters facing off once more. This dream card also offers a unique proposal in which Gaethje imagines himself directly involved in a four-man “deathmatch,” arguing that he, along with Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway, would temporarily unite to take down Islam Makhachev before battling amongst themselves.

In the four-way death match, me, Poirier, Holloway, and Makhachev,

Gaethje said on the Makeshift Project podcast.

We could definitely team up real quick, and then we’ll see,

he noted in jest.

Reflecting on Past Near-Matches: Gaethje and McGregor

Although Gaethje has faced multiple lightweight elite fighters such as Khabib, Poirier, and Holloway, he notably never fought Conor McGregor, missing out on a potentially defining encounter. Their showdown was initially planned for the summer of 2020 during International Fight Week, following McGregor’s impressive 40-second knockout victory over Donald Cerrone. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted these plans and prevented the fight from materializing.

At the time, McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh confirmed the matchup was a priority, underscoring how close the fight came to fruition.

Yeah, [the Justin Gaethje fight in July] was one of the ones that was being talked about – that was right up there,

Kavanagh said in 2020.

This matchup was seen as a significant challenge for McGregor, potentially altering the dynamics of the lightweight division had it taken place.

What Gaethje’s Future Holds Amid UFC’s Competitive Landscape

Gaethje’s exclusion from UFC 317 highlights the unpredictable nature of title opportunities in MMA. Despite his success and popularity, the lightweight division’s depth has made securing another title shot increasingly difficult. His dream fight card serves as both a creative outlet during his time away and a subtle response to being overlooked. With a rich legacy already built, Gaethje’s next moves will be closely watched, especially as his manager’s remarks hint at a possible retirement if his path forward remains blocked.