TRENDING Drew Rasmussen starting Game 5 NFL trade deadline proposals WNBA Finals schedule fiasco Anthony Edwards injury impact Week 8 fantasy trade tips Story by Story by Alex Volkanovski pivots to 2 new options if Justin Gaethje fight can't happen next: 'That excites me' Drake Riggs Uncrowned Wed, October 28, 2026 at 11:50 PM UTC · 5 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexander Volkanovski continues to defy the odds as a 38-year-old UFC champion.
The reigning featherweight kingpin added another name to his all-time great résumé at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi this past Saturday. Facing the previously undefeated Movsar Evloev, Volkanovski delivered one of the most impressive victories of his illustrious career , finishing Evloev with strikes in the second round.
Volkanovski said in his post-fight press conference Saturday that the last big goal on his list is a UFC lightweight title. If he gets the chance to attempt it, Volkanovski promised that he would retire afterward, win or lose .
Days later, a lightweight title fight is still Volkanovski's top choice for his next move, he said on Wednesday's edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show." But current 155-pound champion Justin Gaethje still hasn't decided whether he'll fight again or retire. So, Volkanovski proposed an alternative for his next opponent: Top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.
"If I was in the lightweight division, and I was the champion, I'm fighting Arman 100%," Volkanovski told Uncrowned.
"If Gaethje doesn't want to do that, I'll do it. Me versus Arman for the belt. 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."
Volkanovski's last foray into the lightweight waters didn't exactly go his way — he lost two title tilts against Islam Makhachev in 2023, the second of which came on short notice. Makhachev has since won welterweight gold, but despite the size difference between them, Volkanovski gave the pound-for-pound king a run for his money in their first fight.
When it comes to a lightweight like Tsarukyan, who is also known for his strong grappling, Volkanovski is still confident he could overcome the challenge.
"Arman's a great fighter. I would absolutely love that [fight]," Volkanovski said. "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 stand-up, so that'll be a fun fight."
Although Volkanovski has said an opportunity to fight Gaethje would act as his retirement bout, he's not sure that would still hold up in the Tsarukyan scenario.
Volkanovski has strived to be a fighting champion and maintains he doesn't want to take opportunities away from other deserving contenders, which is partly why he would retire regardless of the outcome in any potential Gaethje fight.
That being said, if either Gaethje or Tsarukyan comes to fruition, Volkanovski admits he would at the very least vacate his featherweight crown.
Alexander Volkanovski needed less than two rounds to handle Movsar Evloev.
"The idea is, again, I don't want to take away opportunities," Volkanovski said. "I want to have a big one … [but] Arman's the one who's deserving. Then you had Paddy and Ilia who just fought for the titles anyway, right? So them two fighting each other and myself and Arman fighting, same time. Then the winner of that ends up fighting the winner anyway.
"I think we're starting to figure some s*** out."
Even with goals as lofty as the lightweight title, Volkanovski still faces a loaded lineup of featherweight contenders.
After putting together impressive back-to-back wins, Brazil's Jean Silva is closer than ever to his first UFC title shot. Meanwhile, surging contender Kevin Vallejos will take on former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC Qatar on Nov. 21.
With a successful night, Sterling would extend his own featherweight win streak to three, putting him at the forefront of contender discussions, Volkanovski believes.
"I believe if Aljamain wins another fight, I feel like Aljamain deserves it more [than Silva]," Volkanovski said.
"When we're talking deserves it more, I'm going to say 'Aljo.' 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 I think Aljamain [would be the guy], especially after another win, taking a fight against a dangerous guy like Kevin.
"Silva's in a great position. I think he just needs to wait and see what happens with 'Aljo.'"
Ultimately, a living legend like Volkanovski could retire today and no one would bat an eye. He's solidified his place in the history books, especially after a win at UFC 333 that has many now considering him the undisputed best featherweight of all time .
The champion is simply glad to still be in a position where he can fight and have the options he does. Essentially, that's the only reason he's still going.
"I'm blessed to be a fighter that I don't need to do this. I'm waiting for the right time [to call it quits]," Volkanovski said.
"Each fight, I'm taking it as it goes. Why do we want to do this? Obviously, the paycheck. We ain't never going to get paychecks like this ever again. Not like this, doing something that I'm so good at. It's not easy, by any means, but it's the clearest direction to the best paycheck you're ever going to get.
"But I want to look after my health. Me being there for my kids," Volkanovski continued. "I'm going to feel s*** when I get old. The injuries around the body are OK. The head stuff, I don't want to mess around with. So that's what I mean. One hard knock to the brain, a concussion, and that's that. That's how I'm looking at this. I'm weighing all these options."
Source: Sports
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