Chael Sonnen has torn into Alexander Volkanovski’s proposal for a blockbuster showdown with Justin Gaethje, questioning why the UFC would book a fight that both champions intend to follow with retirement.
Volkanovski floated the idea after defending his featherweight title against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, where he secured a second-round TKO.
The Australian subsequently expressed interest in moving up to lightweight to face Gaethje for the 155-pound championship, suggesting both men could retire afterward to avoid holding up their respective divisions.
The concept has generated interest among fans, but Sonnen believes the proposal makes little sense from a competitive standpoint. The UFC veteran also questioned whether “The Great” genuinely wants to test himself at lightweight or is seeking another opportunity to challenge for a second division’s title without giving up his featherweight championship.
Chael Sonnen Calls Alexander Volkanovski’s Justin Gaethje Idea ‘Dumb’
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sonnen did not hold back when assessing the proposed superfight, arguing that a contest ending with both fighters putting down their gloves would offer little value to the UFC.
He does not know what we are doing here. Volkanovski just laid out one of the dumbest ideas I’ve ever heard,” Sonnen said.
He’s gonna go up, and he’s gonna fight Justin Gaethje. He’s got no problem with him; they get along. But they’re gonna throw their arms around each other and put the gloves down in the middle when this thing is over. Who does that help? Why would anybody book that fight?
“The American Gangster” also challenged Volkanovski’s suggestion that fighting Gaethje would serve as a test of his abilities at 155 pounds. In his view, the Australian should be willing to surrender his featherweight title if he genuinely wants to prove himself in a new division.
Sonnen pointed to Ilia Topuria’s move from featherweight to lightweight as the approach “The Great” should consider. Topuria vacated his 145-pound championship before pursuing opportunities at 155 pounds, rather than attempting to retain both paths simultaneously.
If you want to go to 155 and test yourself, drop the strap and go into the division; exactly what Ilia Topuria did,” Sonnen said.
He also referenced Max Holloway, who moved up to lightweight without a guaranteed title shot, arguing that Volkanovski should accept similar uncertainty if his primary goal is to challenge himself.
You want to test yourself, do what Max Holloway did: be a ’45-pounder that enters ’55 with no guarantee. Which means if I lose, I don’t get to say I lost to the best guy,” Sonnen added.
Volkanovski Just Had One of the DUMBEST Ideas I've Ever Heard
