Alexander Volkanovski Proposes 'Send-Off' Superfight Against Justin Gaethje

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (28-4) has suggested a 2027 retirement bout against 155-pound titleholder Justin Gaethje.

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has proposed a winner-take-all superfight against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje for 2027. Volkanovski (28-4) suggested the bout serve as a retirement "send-off" for both athletes, as he is currently 38 years old and Gaethje is 37. The proposal, made during an appearance on the "Who Da Fook Are These Guys?" podcast, envisions the lightweight title being at stake before both fighters exit the sport.

Before any potential move to 155 pounds, Volkanovski is scheduled to defend his featherweight title against the undefeated Movsar Evloev (20-0) at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. Volkanovski previously attempted to secure the lightweight belt twice in 2023 against Islam Makhachev, resulting in a decision loss in February and a first-round knockout defeat in October.

Gaethje (28-5) captured the 155-pound championship in June. While he has not officially confirmed his next move, he previously identified Arman Tsarukyan as his likely next challenger. Volkanovski’s proposal aims to bypass potential rematches in favor of a cross-divisional matchup that would allow the weight classes to reset following their respective retirements.