Interim UFC Lightweight champ Justin Gaethje is making it clear he has no regrets passing up a money fight with Conor McGregor for a shot at the belt. Gaethje is set to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 at the end of October, but Gaethje admitted to ESPN that he had an opportunity to fight McGregor this past Summer…

I think it was there,” said Gaethje, of a fight against McGregor. “If there was any kind of interest, the UFC would have tried to make it. Financially, it’s a big gamble, it’s a lot more risky. But this is the goal, not just wealth: legacy. That’s what I’m most excited for about this opportunity. I’ve watched this sport a long time, since Tito Ortiz was champion in the early 2000s. Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, all those guys. I truly think, if I can beat Khabib and Conor McGregor after that I will have cemented something that is almost unmatched.

Justin Gaethje

Gaethje cares about one thing when it comes to his MMA career, his legacy. The fact that he turned down a huge payday with McGregor so he can get the belt first is proof that money isn’t everything when it comes to the Interim champ. Gaethje is in a position right now to change MMA history. If he beats Khabib it will be the biggest upset in UFC history, and in my opinion its totally possible. Khabib isn’t invincible. Gaethje has excellent wrestling we have yet to see in the UFC due to his knock out power. Khabib is a legend don’t get me wrong, but not many hit like Gaethje and he has improved so much over the past four fights. October 24th can’t come soon enough.