UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has proposed a "send-off" superfight against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, with both titles on the line in 2027.
Volkanovski (28-4) is scheduled to defend his 145-pound title against Movsar Evloev (20-0) at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Arguably the greatest featherweight of all time, the 38-year-old has acknowledged he is nearing the end of his career. Gaethje, 37, has said the same since he claimed the UFC's 155-pound title for the first time in June.
"Imagine that, do it as a send-off," Volkanovski told the "Who Da Fook Are These Guys?" podcast. "Gaethje, Volk. I think he's said that he maybe has one more. That could be a superfight. Let's do a superfight with the lightweight title on the line. We can both see everyone off with a crazy superfight."
Volkanovski, of Australia, has already tried to win the lightweight title. He challenged then-champion Islam Makhachev twice in 2023, losing a razor-close decision in February and then a first-round knockout in an October rematch scheduled on short notice. Gaethje (28-5) has not guaranteed he will fight again after his historic win at the White House in June, though he has said his next challenger would likely be lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. Volkanovski appears to be hoping to change those plans.
"He's said, 'What's the point of doing rematches,'" Volkanovski said. "Let's do a superfight then [retire] straight away after, let the divisions sort themselves out. The UFC would be happy for that. Let's make it happen."
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing