What UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski wants first and foremost after his latest title defense is clear, but if Plan A doesn't come to fruition, Plan B might not be a bad idea.
Volkanovski, 38, looked impressive in this past Saturday's UFC 333 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where he handed Movsar Evloev his first-career defeat with a second-round TKO to retain his 145-pound title. During his post-fight news conference, Volkanovski doubled down on an idea he planted prior to UFC 333, that a superfight with lightweight champ Justin Gaethje would be an ideal way to end his career – both men, actually.
The good news for Volkanovski is that UFC CEO Dana White is open to making that showdown a reality. However, Gaethje, who
has flirted with retirement, needs to decide his next move after claiming the 155-pound title from Ilia Topuria in June at UFC Freedom 250.
If his desired superfight with Gaethje can't come to fruition, Volkanovski's ideal backup plan would be a rematch with Topuria.
"Gaethje took that zero, can't say that I got the chance to take that zero from him, but to get that win back would be great," Volkanovski told reporters Monday. "Nothing against him, obviously he's a great fighter, great dude, we get along. But at the same time, I'm a competitor, and I would love to test myself against him."
Volkanovski lost the featherweight title to Topuria by second-round knockout in February 2024 at UFC 298, for his second consecutive knockout loss. Topuria defended the title once by knocking out Max Holloway before vacating to move up to lightweight.
That opened the door for Volkanovski to fight for the vacant 145-pound championship, which he claimed by defeating Diego Lopes in April 2025. After winning a rematch with Lopes and finishing Evloev, Volkanovski now has two title defenses in his second title reign.
Volkanovski admits fighting Topuria might not make sense until Gaethje makes a decision on his future, but he remains steadfast on not holding up the featherweight division regardless.
"Win, lose or draw, I retire, so I'm not holding the division up," Volkanovski said.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Alexander Volkanovski has intriguing backup plan for next fight after UFC 333
