Michael Bisping isn’t convinced that a superfight between Justin Gaethje and Alexander Volkanovski is the right move for the UFC lightweight champion.
Volkanovski reignited talk of a potential clash after stopping Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 to retain his featherweight title. The Australian subsequently called for a matchup with Gaethje, who currently holds the lightweight championship.
Although the proposed contest has generated plenty of interest, “The Count” believes the UFC should consider the consequences for both divisions before making the fight.
Michael Bisping Explains Why Justin Gaethje Should Avoid Alexander Volkanovski
Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast, the UFC Hall of Famer acknowledged Volkanovski’s accomplishments but questioned whether the former lightweight title challenger should receive another opportunity at 155 pounds.
“The Great” previously challenged Islam Makhachev twice for the lightweight championship but failed to capture the belt. Bisping believes Gaethje would be taking an unnecessary risk by agreeing to defend his title against a smaller opponent moving up in weight.
In the lightweight division, Justin Gaethje has got a clear-cut No. 1 contender in Arman Tsarukyan. There’s also Charles Oliveira that he’s lost to that’s fighting Diego Lopes. There’s Max Holloway that he’s lost to. Listen, the man’s a legend, awesome career. But he’s got work to do in the lightweight division,” Bisping said.
The former middleweight champion also explained why Gaethje might hesitate to accept the matchup, particularly with his own championship reign and future at stake.
If I were Justin Gaethje sitting here right now, I’d be like, well, I’m going to take a chance, I’m going to take a guy that’s coming up a weight class, so it’s win-win for him regardless. And if he was to lose, it’s not the best look and then he loses his belt and then what? Retires. … I would understand if Justin Gaethje was hesitant to want to do that,” he added.
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