Justin Gaethje’s recent knockout victory over Dustin Poirier has solidified his place as one of the hottest fighters in the UFC. His jaw-dropping performance has caught the attention of many, including former UFC champion Conor McGregor, who has taken to social media to call out the lightweight star. However, Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, believes that McGregor is simply clout chasing.
After Gaethje’s triumphant win, Abdelaziz sat down with TMZ Sports to discuss McGregor’s comments. He viewed McGregor’s actions as a sign of jealousy and a desperate attempt to remain relevant in the sport. Abdelaziz stated, “Conor McGregor, he lost himself. He doesn’t know who he is. He’s a guy who isn’t even a fighter. He’s a retired fighter. He’s not in the USADA program, he probably weighs almost close to 200 pounds. He just wants clout.”
Abdelaziz holds Gaethje in high regard, comparing him to a gladiator, along with fighters like Poirier, Kamaru Usman, Islam Makhachev, and Max Holloway. He believes McGregor’s time as a gladiator is long gone, and he is now merely a pretender. McGregor has not fought since suffering a leg injury in his fight against Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Instead of focusing on his fighting career, McGregor has been involved in various public altercations, further emphasizing his decline as a true fighter in Abdelaziz’s eyes.
Though McGregor was originally slated to face Michael Chandler next, it seems unlikely at this point. Reports indicate that McGregor is not yet a part of the USADA test pool, meaning he would not be eligible to fight for a minimum of six months. Considering this, it appears that a bout between Gaethje and McGregor is highly unlikely.
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So, the question remains, who will be Gaethje’s next opponent? Abdelaziz sheds light on potential matchups. In his conversation with TMZ Sports, he hints at potential opponents like Makhachev, Usman, and Henry Cejudo. These fighters, much like Gaethje, have established themselves as dominant forces in their respective weight classes. Abdelaziz’s impressive roster of clients, including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kayla Harrison, further strengthens his credibility as a manager and strategist in the MMA world.
Additionally, Ali Abdelaziz has been given the honor to speak at the Association Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) conference in Las Vegas. This prestigious opportunity allows him to voice his opinions and insights as a manager, advocating for the best interests of his fighters and the sport as a whole. His inclusion in this conference further solidifies his position as a respected figure in the MMA industry.
In conclusion, Justin Gaethje’s meteoric rise and sensational knockout victory over Dustin Poirier has garnered the attention of Conor McGregor, who seems to be attempting to regain relevance through social media callouts. However, Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, dismisses McGregor’s actions as clout chasing, emphasizing that McGregor is no longer a true gladiator. Instead, Abdelaziz suggests potential matchups with fighters like Islam Makhachev, Kamaru Usman, or Henry Cejudo for Gaethje’s next fight. With Abdelaziz’s involvement in the ABC conference, his influence and knowledge as a manager are further recognized within the MMA community. Ultimately, it is clear that Gaethje’s star is rising, and the world will be eagerly anticipating his next move in the octagon.
