McGregor shifts focus to Gaethje: 'I'll slap you around'

Warning: Story contains coarse language

It appears Conor McGregor is setting his sights on a fight with Justin Gaethje instead of Michael Chandler.

After Gaethje knocked out Dustin Poirier to win the BMF title at UFC 291 on Saturday, McGregor took to Twitter and told Gaethje to ask for the fight.

"Justin, I'll slap you around," McGregor tweeted.

"I'm the real BMF, he can fight for pennies if he wants, but I want spirits, I call the shots, I'm in it to launch shots, fuck Chandler, you want it, call for it," the former champion added.

McGregor coached "The Ultimate Fighter 31" opposite Chandler a few months ago. UFC president Dana White said in February a fight between McGregor and Chandler would be scheduled for later in 2023, but there have been delays in finalizing the matchup because McGregor is not in the USADA drug-testing pool.

The Irishman hasn't stepped into the Octagon since losing to Poirier in July 2021.

Gaethje responded to McGregor at the UFC 291 postfight press conference and seemed torn about whether he'd even entertain the matchup. Gaethje said he thinks McGregor has turned him down "six times," adding that "usually, you have to lose to fight him."

"I like to fight big fights, I like exciting things, so it sounds pretty exciting to me," Gaethje said. "I'm not going to fight someone on steroids. ... I've never taken steroids. And I don't want to fight someone that is cheating. I probably shouldn't even say that if I want the fight, but it's the truth."

Chandler also chimed in on Twitter, telling McGregor to get back in the anti-doping program so they can fight.

Gaethje said after beating Poirier he wants to challenge for the undisputed title next.