Justin Gaethje has doubled down on his verbal attack on Conor McGregor as a potential fight between the pair edges closer.
Lightweight Gaethje takes on Donald Cerrone this weekend knowing victory would put him in pole position to fight the Irishman.
McGregor is plotting a return to the UFC later this year or in early 2020 having not fought since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov last October.
Should he take on Gaethje, the winner would likely earn a shot at the winner of 155lb champion Nurmagomedov's proposed title defence against Tony Ferguson.
Gaethje has been relentless in his criticism of McGregor and said: "If the little Irish f*** wants to come back then I'm right here, I'm the perfect guy to bring him back.
"I will never stray from the truth, it had nothing to do with fighting. If he wants to write some b*******... facts are facts; you can't represent yourself in public like that and expect your child to respect what you do.
"You are a hero to your children and you are a fool if you think they won't follow in your footsteps.
"To see him treat people like that, do not represent yourself like that, I will never respect you."
McGregor has been embroiled in controversy since losing to Nurmagomedov.
He knocked a phone out of a fan's hand earlier this year in Miami before charges were dropped.
He was then caught on camera allegedly punching a 50-year-old man in a Dublin pub after he declined a shot of the fighter's Proper Twelve whiskey.
Follow the video's release, Gaethje told TMZ: "He brings the most attention, he’s the biggest superstar in this sport, he’s not even fighting and he’s still the biggest superstar.
"So of course I want to f*** him up. I see him punch an old man, do I want to punch him for that? F*** yeah, I want to f*** that dude up for s*** like that."
