Alexander Volkanovski recently stated that he would retire win or lose if the UFC gives him a superfight with lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, repeating the idea after stopping Movsar Evloev to retain the featherweight title at UFC 333.
During the post-fight press conference in Abu Dhabi, Volkanovski called a Gaethje fight “something I would retire for.” He said he would step away regardless of the result and vacate so he is not holding up the division. “Win or lose, retire,” he said.
UFC CEO Dana White did not commit to anything. However, he sounded open to it. White stated that given what Volkanovski has accomplished, there is “not much we’re going to say no to with him,” and that the promotion will see how it plays out, according to UFC.com’s rundown of the press conference.
The UFC has not announced a Volkanovski vs. Gaethje fight, and Gaethje has not publicly agreed to one. Gaethje captured the lightweight title in June by defeating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. Volkanovski has already lost two lightweight title fights to Islam Makhachev.
The Aussie fighter also said that he has always believed fighters should earn their shots. However, he added that his proposed retirement clause would let the 155-pound division move ahead regardless of the result.
Volkanovski pitched the retirement superfight before the Evloev fight, and White said he was open to the idea ahead of UFC 333. Now that Volkanovski has ended Evloev’s undefeated record with a second-round stoppage, he is making the case as a champion who just won.
