If the UFC and the fans aren't into the idea of Alexander Volkanovski fighting Justin Gaethje, he has some other ideas.
This past weekend, Volkanovski added another title defense to his featherweight résumé, stopping Movsar Evloev in the second round of the UFC 333 main event. After the win, Volkanovski campaigned for a double retirement fight with lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Volkanovski's pitch has been met with a mixed reception, with some fans into the idea, while others wonder about Arman Tsarukyan, the presumptive next title challenger at 155 pounds.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Wednesday, Volkanovski agreed about Tsarukyan, and so he pitched another possible scenario.
â€I do believe Arman should be fighting for the title,†Volkanovski said. “If I was in the lightweight division, and I was the champion, I'm fighting Arman, 100 percent. If Gaethje doesn't want to do that, I'll do it. That excites me.
“You've got Ilia [Topuria] and Paddy [Pimblett] that are in a great position, but that's a great fight [between them]. So if you needed a title fight, Arman and myself. I think that's great. Can we do that?â€
â€Arman's a great fighter,†Volkanovski continued. “I would absolutely love that. Everyone knows how I do against wrestlers. Everyone knows I can handle wrestlers. I believe that even as good as Arman is, I think he's one of the best wrestlers and grapplers in the UFC — you ain't holding me down. Even Arman.
“I've got so much respect for him, but I'm getting back up, and we're standing and fighting. But he's got good standup, so that'll be a fun fight.â€
Volkanovski even teased that if he does get a lightweight title shot next, he's also willing to stick around, if that's what the UFC wants.
“I'll vacate the featherweight belt; fight Arman for the title,†Volkanovski said. “There it is. I'm starting to get more excited for that than the Gaethje fight. …
“I'll talk to the UFC, and I'll be, ‘I'll do this, I'll vacate. I'll do the lightweight thing.' If you want me out of the picture after this because you just, look, ‘We'll give you that chance, and then you vacate, win, lose, or draw.' But if people don't like that idea, and the UFC don't like that idea, then alright. We'll go again.â€
Of course, this all hinges on Gaethje, who has yet to make a decision about his future in the sport. The lightweight champion is still healing injuries from his win over Ilia Topuria at UFC White House, and has said he expects to talk with his family about whether or not he will retire in the coming months. If Gaethje does decide to stick around and defend his belt against Tsarukyan, then Volkanovski says there's one particular opponent he feels is most deserving at 145 pounds.
“I believe if Aljamain [Sterling] wins another fight, I feel like Aljamain deserves it more [than Jean Silva],†Volkanovski said. “When we're talking deserves it more, I'm going to say ‘Aljo.' Aljo deserves it more. But who do I think's next? They're both worthy competitors, and they're both in a position where they'll probably go. But who do I think deserves it more? I think Aljamain, especially after another win, taking a fight against a dangerous guy like Kevin. …
“It is up to that fight, I believe. Silva's in a great position. I think he just needs to wait and see what happens with Aljo.â€
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Dialed. Also, Gaethje has a real old-man swing.
Who said money can't buy happiness?
This is real GOAT behavior — getting weird.
If Gaethje retires, Arman vs. Volk would be OK. Still kinda shitty for actual lightweights putting together meaningful wins in the division, but it would no longer be a huge miscarriage of justice.
Or Volk could just bail on 145 and go up and fight any ‘55er and earn a title fight. That would also be fine.
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