On Saturday night at UFC Vancouver, Justin Gaethje asserted his claim for a lightweight title shot by knocking out Donald Cerrone in the first round. This win is Gaethje’s third straight first-round KO and afterwards, Gaethje called for a title shot against the winner of the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight that is presumed to be next. However, as that fight is currently nothing more than speculation, it could be some time before Nurmagomedov and Ferguson lock horns, so in the interim, Gaethje said he’d “absolutely” fight former two-division champion Conor McGregor, assuming McGregor isn’t retired. Well, it appears McGregor might like the sound of that.

Taking to social media shortly after Gaethje’s win, McGregor posted a cryptic Tweet simply showing himself.

Then the next day, McGregor sent out a Tweet with a date and location, December 14th, Dublin, Ireland.

As a Dublin native, McGregor has lobbied the UFC aggressively for years to host a PPV even in his home country, and has been particularly interested in headlining an event at Croke Park. December 14 is currently set as the date for UFC 245, which is scheduled for Las Vegas, but it’s not hard to imagine the UFC could shift things around for McGregor’s return.

Look, it’s possible that McGregor’s Tweets don’t mean anything, after all, it wouldn’t be the first time. But McGregor and Gaethje have been circling each other for some time now and were apparently close to fighting once already. When McGregor went on his apology tour last month, “Notorious” revealed that his team was in negotiations for a bout with Gaethje but things feel through when McGregor broke his hand. McGregor has been adamant he wants a rematch with Khabib but at this point that seems highly unlikely, so a bout with Gaethje makes sense as a win would basically guarantee him the next title shot.

Dana White has been saying Conor was going to sit back and see how things at lightweight played out and what Conor wanted to do next. Well, now we know what he wants.

---

MUST-READ STORIES

Results. Justin Gaethje demolishes ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone with vicious first-round TKO at UFC Vancouver.

Title shot. Justin Gaethje wants the winner of Khabib vs. Tony Ferguson but he would ‘absolutely’ fight Conor McGregor.

Hopes. Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone not ready to pass the torch yet: ‘I’m going to get the belt. It’s going to happen’.

Chaos. Tyron Woodley mocks Colby Covington’s missed title opportunities: ‘He’s a complete dumbass’.

Dreams. Urijah Faber would like to ‘snatch up’ Henry Cejudo’s titles, ‘silence the cringe’.

---

VIDEO STEW

UFC Vancouver post-fight show.

Full video of Khabib with Putin.

10 things Cowboy can’t live without. Cowboy needs a Snickers sponsorship.

Looking at the history of random belts.

Woodley calling out Khabib, because that makes sense.

Extended promo for Diaz-Masvidal.

---

LISTEN UP

6th Round. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Vancouver.

Severe MMA. Discussing UFC Vancouver, KSW, and what’s next for Justin Gaethje.

---

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

He’s the most entertaining fighter in the history of the sport.

I accept this offer.

This is gonna be fun.

Islam trying to call the shots.

The superfight we deserved.

Cain ain’t never coming back to fighting, and he shouldn’t.

Ouch.

The more you know.

TUF friends.

---

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mariusz Pudzianowski (12-7) vs. Erko Jun (3-0); KSW 51, Nov. 9.

Scott Askham (18-4) vs. Mamed Khalidov (34-6-2); KSW 52, Dec. 7.

---

FINAL THOUGHTS

Gaethje is the toughest test for Khabib, come at me.

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

---

EXIT POLL

---

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.