🚨 Alexander Volkanovski says he would RETIRE after a superfight with Justin Gaethje! Fresh off his UFC 333 title defense against Movsar Evloev, the featherweight champion has made it clear that a showdown with Gaethje could be the perfect way to end his legendary career. 🗣️ “That's something I would retire for. So if they wanted to give me that opportunity, I would retire. Win or lose, retire.” With both fighters interested in the matchup, we could be looking at Volkanovski's FINAL fight.
Alexander Volkanovski says a superfight with Justin Gaethje is the one bout that would convince him to walk away from the sport, regardless of the outcome. The featherweight champion made the comments after his UFC 333 title defense against Movsar Evloev.
"That's something I would retire for," Volkanovski said, as relayed in the report. "So if they wanted to give me that opportunity, I would retire. Win or lose, retire." Both fighters are said to be interested in the matchup, though nothing has been made official.
Volkanovski, 29-4-0, is the reigning featherweight titleholder and holds a pound-for-pound ranking of No. 3. The 38-year-old from Australia stopped Evloev in the second round at UFC 333 on October 24, his most recent recorded fight. Before that, he beat Diego Lopes by unanimous decision in back-to-back title fights at UFC 314 and UFC 325. He lands 5.99 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and averages 1.63 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Gaethje, 28-5-0, is the lightweight champion and a 37-year-old out of the United States. His most recent recorded fight was a fourth-round KO/TKO of Ilia Topuria in a title bout at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. Before that he took a unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January. Gaethje lands 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, but attempts just 0.33 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A bout between the two would pit two reigning champions from different divisions against each other.
- The size gap is clear: Gaethje stands five-foot-eleven (180 cm) with a 70-inch reach, while Volkanovski is five-foot-six (168 cm) with a 71-inch reach. Volkanovski is shorter by 12 centimetres but owns a one-inch reach edge.
- The grappling numbers are lopsided. Volkanovski averages roughly five times Gaethje's takedown rate, while Gaethje holds a slight edge in strike volume and accuracy.
- Volkanovski is a year older than Gaethje, 38 to 37.
For now, the retirement pledge is a statement of intent rather than a scheduled fight. Volkanovski has framed the matchup as the ideal final chapter for his career, and a booking would require the UFC to sign off on a move across two weight classes.
