Alexander Volkanovski open to challenging Justin Gaethje at lightweight

Alexander Volkanovski has expressed openness to challenging newly crowned lightweight champion Justin Gaethje for the undisputed title, though the featherweight champion emphasized he will not actively lobby for a third double-champ bid unless he believes he has earned it. Volkanovski (28–4) noted that he defended his featherweight title multiple times before pursuing his first lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev, and intends to follow a similar path of earned opportunity rather than demand.

Gaethje (28–5) recently upset Ilia Topuria to capture the lightweight crown, and Volkanovski suggested that if the UFC offered him a title shot, he would accept. "Of course I'll do it," Volkanovski said. "See two 38-year-old fellas go at it in the lightweight division? 100%. Of course I would." However, he acknowledged that Arman Tsarukyan deserves the next shot, provided the fighter continues to cooperate with the promotion's interests.

Volkanovski's recent history at lightweight has been disappointing. He lost a tight decision to Makhachev in 2023, then accepted a short-notice rematch that ended in a violent knockout. He subsequently lost his featherweight title to Topuria before recapturing the belt against Diego Lopes and successfully defending it in a rematch. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan has been sidelined since withdrawing from a title challenge against Makhachev last year, and chose to wrestle Tony Ferguson rather than serve as backup fighter for the Topuria–Gaethje main event at UFC White House.