Alexander Volkanovski keeps pushing for Justin Gaethje super fight before UFC 333
The featherweight champion, who defends his belt against Movsar Evloev in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, said a farewell champion vs champion bout with Gaethje could be both men's last fight.
Alexander Volkanovski has again raised the prospect of a champion vs champion fight with lightweight title holder Justin Gaethje, days before he defends his featherweight belt against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.
The 38-year-old pitched the idea as a double retirement fight a few weeks ago and returned to it at the UFC 333 media day on Wednesday. Such a bout would risk holding up both the featherweight and lightweight divisions, a prospect that could put Volkanovski at odds with UFC boss Dana White, particularly if both fighters entered it planning to retire.
Volkanovski said he does not intend to retire after Saturday's fight, and would only do so as part of an arrangement like the one he is proposing. He said he was not one to call for title fights given the number of deserving contenders at lightweight, but pointed out that Gaethje is unsure of his plans, does not want rematches and has never fought him.
He said: “Maybe we agree that it’s like, let’s have our last fight, super fight, champion vs champion, we’re not holding the division’s because we’re gonna see ourselves off and let the divisions do their thing, I just think that could happen, that’s why I threw it out there.” A win over Gaethje would give Volkanovski the two-weight title he failed to secure in his two fights with Islam Makhachev. Gaethje is also potentially one fight from retirement.
First, Volkanovski must get past the unbeaten Evloev, whose coach has said the Australian is past his prime and that his time at the top of the division is over.
If the Gaethje fight does not materialise, Volkanovski has named two contenders he would face if he stays at 145lbs. Aljamain Sterling meets Kevin Vallejos in November, and the winner would move into contention. Jean Silva has won back-to-back fights against Arnold Allen and Jose Delgado since losing to Diego Lopes in 2025.
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