Australian MMA star Alexander Volkanovski has expressed interest in a blockbuster encounter with Justin Gaethje, suggesting that the contest could provide a memorable conclusion to their remarkable UFC careers.
The reigning featherweight champion remains determined to capture championship honours in another weight category, despite previously falling short against Islam Makhachev.
Volkanovski first challenged Makhachev at UFC 284, delivering an impressive performance before losing through the judges’ scorecards. Their second encounter at UFC 294 proved more difficult, with the Australian suffering a knockout defeat after accepting the opportunity with limited preparation time.
Speaking on the Who The Fook Are These Guys podcast, Volkanovski proposed an exciting championship meeting with Gaethje, potentially allowing both experienced fighters to conclude their careers on a spectacular occasion.
The suggestion follows Gaethje’s recent victory over Ilia Topuria at the White House event. Although Gaethje secured the result, questions remain regarding his long term fighting ambitions.
Volkanovski believes their meeting could generate enormous interest while providing the UFC with an opportunity to stage a major championship attraction before allowing emerging contenders to pursue their opportunities.
However, securing another lightweight opportunity will require careful consideration, particularly with Arman Tsarukyan also emerging as a potential championship challenger.
Before entertaining those possibilities, Volkanovski must concentrate on his immediate featherweight responsibilities.
He is scheduled to face undefeated contender Movsar Evloev in the headline contest at UFC 333. Evloev brings an outstanding professional record of 20 victories without defeat, including 10 successful UFC appearances.
A victory would strengthen Volkanovski’s position among the promotion’s leading champions and potentially open the door for another historic championship pursuit.
For now, the proposed Gaethje encounter remains an ambitious possibility rather than an officially confirmed matchup, but it could deliver an unforgettable farewell for two celebrated competitors.
