Dana White on Alexander Volkanovski vs Justin Gaethje: 'It's hard to say no to a guy like that'
Volkanovski defends the featherweight title against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, and White said he had no idea when a Gaethje fight could happen.
Dana White says it would be hard to turn Alexander Volkanovski down if the featherweight champion beats Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 and asks to move up a weight class to fight Justin Gaethje.
Asked by Nina Drama in Abu Dhabi on Friday whether he had heard that Volkanovski wanted to move up if he won, the UFC boss said: "Oh, Volk, yeah, yeah. I did know that."
When she added that Volkanovski wanted to fight Gaethje, White told her: "Yeah, well, you know, if he wins again tomorrow, this guy's accomplished so much. It's hard to say no to a guy like that." Asked whether that fight would come next or after a gap, he said: "I have no idea. Let's see what happens tomorrow."
Volkanovski pitched the Gaethje fight at Wednesday's UFC 333 media day as a possible last fight for both men, and said he does not plan to retire after Saturday.
Saturday's main event is expected at 21:00 UK time on TNT Sports.
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About this report
Reported by the Combat Sports UK desk. Times are UK and Irish time, and we update the report when the facts change. How we work.