'That's something I'd retire for': Volkanovski bets his career on one last war with Gaethje
Fresh off knocking out Evloev, the champion dropped a bombshell: he wants to move up, face the man who dethroned Topuria and hang up the gloves, win or lose. Dana White didn't say no.
By Equipo La Jaula Props · · 2 min read
Photos: MMAnytt, CC BY 3.0 · U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Primavera, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
The sweat from his win over Movsar Evloev hadn't even dried and Alexander Volkanovski was already thinking about something else: his farewell. The 38-year-old featherweight champion wants one last fight against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, and says he would hang up the gloves afterwards.
What he said
At the UFC 333 post-fight press conference, Volkanovski explained that he doesn't want to hold any division up, but believes this fight can happen. About his future he was clear: "That's something I'd retire for." He added that he would retire win or lose, vacating the belt so nobody is held up.
It's not a spur-of-the-moment idea. Before UFC 333 he had already pitched it on a podcast as a "send-off" fight for both men. He described it as "a little bit of a super fight" between two veteran champions.
And Dana White… didn't say no
The UFC boss, who usually avoids talking matchmaking right after an event, sounded open to it. He said that with everything Volkanovski has accomplished, there's not much the UFC would say no to. He gave no dates and nothing is signed.
The opponent: the man who dethroned Topuria
Gaethje has been the undisputed lightweight champion since June 14, 2026, when he beat Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250: Topuria didn't come out for the fifth round and lost both his unbeaten record and his belt. That night reshaped the division and made Gaethje the most talked-about name at lightweight.
Why it isn't official yet
- Gaethje is serving a 180-day medical suspension for injuries from that fight, so a return this year is very unlikely.
- He hasn't confirmed whether he'll keep fighting, and has said he believes his next challenger should be Arman Tsarukyan.
- Neither Gaethje nor his team has publicly responded to Volkanovski's proposal.
The lightweight thorn
Volkanovski has tried to conquer lightweight before and came away empty-handed: he lost twice to Islam Makhachev, by decision at UFC 284 and by head-kick knockout at UFC 294. A win over Gaethje would be the perfect payback with that division… and a Hollywood ending for the Street Fighter actor.
What happens at featherweight?
If Volkanovski retires, the featherweight belt would be vacated right after he broke José Aldo's record with nine wins in fights for that title. For now, his record stands at 29-4.
Frequently asked questions
What is Volkanovski's next fight?
Nothing is official. Volkanovski wants to face lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, but the UFC hasn't announced it and Gaethje hasn't responded.
Is Volkanovski retiring?
He said he would retire after a fight with Gaethje, win or lose. He hasn't announced an immediate retirement.
What did Dana White say about Volkanovski vs. Gaethje?
He sounded open to it: he said that with everything Volkanovski has accomplished, there's not much the UFC would say no to. He gave no dates.
When does Gaethje fight again?
There's no date. He is serving a 180-day medical suspension from his June 14, 2026 fight with Topuria, so fighting this year is very unlikely.
Has Volkanovski fought at lightweight before?
Yes. He lost twice to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title: by decision at UFC 284 and by knockout at UFC 294.
What is Volkanovski's record?
29 wins and 4 losses after knocking out Movsar Evloev at UFC 333.
