Volkanovski Proposes Champion vs Champion Retirement Fight With Gaethje
Alexander Volkanovski wants a lightweight title superfight with Justin Gaethje where both legends hang up the gloves.
Alexander Volkanovski is not done chasing lightweight gold. The UFC featherweight champion told the WhoTheFookPod he wants a champion-versus-champion superfight against lightweight titleholder Justin Gaethje, with both men retiring afterward.
"Let's do a superfight, lightweight title on the line," Volkanovski said. The plan, as he laid it out: "Have our superfight, and then vacate the belts after and retire. You're not holding up the divisions doing it."
Volkanovski (28-4) has lost twice to Islam Makhachev at 155 pounds but remains fixated on adding a second belt before he calls it a career. Gaethje, meanwhile, has not fought since upsetting Ilia Topuria by fourth-round TKO at UFC Freedom 250 in June. The lightweight champion is dealing with hand and knee injuries and a 180-day medical suspension, per reports, and has said he wants to return in early 2027.
Volkanovski clarified the timeline is flexible. "A lot of people are acting like I meant the next fight needs to be the retirement fight. It doesn't," he said. He acknowledged Gaethje "doesn't really know what he wants to do" but pitched the bout as a fitting sendoff for two veterans in their late 30s.
First things first. Volkanovski defends his featherweight title against undefeated Movsar Evloev (20-0) at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. A loss to Evloev would almost certainly kill the Gaethje dream. But if Volkanovski walks out of Etihad Arena with the belt, expect this idea to pick up serious steam.
I love this idea on paper. Two champions, both at the tail end of legendary careers, putting everything on the line one last time. Volkanovski walking away after a superfight at 155 is a way better exit than grinding out another featherweight defense against some guy the matchmakers have been holding back for three years.
But here is the thing: Gaethje just blew out his hand and his knee beating Topuria. He has a six-month medical suspension and he is talking about early 2027 at the earliest. By the time Justin is healthy, Volkanovski could be 39, coming off however many more featherweight defenses. The window is not as wide as Volk thinks it is.
Still, if both guys are healthy and the UFC wants a proper farewell card, this is the kind of fight that sells itself. Champion versus champion, both walking into the sunset. Get it done before Father Time makes the decision for them.
KEEP TALKING FIGHTS.
MMAVolkanovski Pitches Lightweight Superfight With Gaethje as Final Bout for Both
MMAAlexander Volkanovski Pitches Justin Gaethje Retirement Superfight at Lightweight
MMAVolkanovski Promises Wild Finish of Unbeaten Evloev at UFC 333
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