Volkanovski Offers to Vacate Belt for Tsarukyan Fight

Alexander Volkanovski has a backup plan in case Justin Gaethje turns down the double retirement fight he pitched. He would fight Arman Tsarukyan for the lightweight title, and he is ready to give up his featherweight belt to do it.

Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev in the second round of the UFC 333 main event last weekend. After the win, he campaigned for a farewell fight with lightweight champion Gaethje. The pitch got a mixed reception. Some fans liked it, while others pointed to Tsarukyan, the presumptive next title challenger at 155 pounds.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Wednesday, Volkanovski agreed with the second group.

"I do believe Arman should be fighting for the title. If I was in the lightweight division, and I was the champion, I'm fighting Arman, 100 percent. If Gaethje doesn't want to do that, I'll do it. That excites me."

He added that Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett are in a great position, but that a fight between those two is a great one. "So if you needed a title fight, Arman and myself," Volkanovski said. "I think that's great. Can we do that?"

Wrestlers and the vacated belt

Volkanovski said he has so much respect for Tsarukyan, whom he called one of the best wrestlers and grapplers in the UFC. He is not worried about the matchup, though. "Everyone knows how I do against wrestlers," he said. "You ain't holding me down. Even Arman." He plans to get back up and keep the fight standing, and he noted that Tsarukyan has good stand-up too.

"I'll vacate the featherweight belt; fight Arman for the title," Volkanovski said. "There it is. I'm starting to get more excited for that than the Gaethje fight." He said he would talk to the UFC. If the promotion wants him out of the picture afterward, he is open to vacating whatever the result. If people and the UFC do not like the idea, he said, "alright. We'll go again."

All of it hinges on Gaethje, who has not decided on his future. The lightweight champion is still healing injuries from his win over Topuria at UFC White House. He has said he expects to talk with his family about retirement in the coming months.

Sterling or Silva at 145

If Gaethje stays and defends against Tsarukyan, Volkanovski has a pick for the next featherweight challenger. He named Aljamain Sterling over Jean Silva, as long as Sterling wins another fight. He pointed to Sterling taking a fight against a dangerous guy like Kevin.

"They're both worthy competitors," Volkanovski said. "Silva's in a great position. I think he just needs to wait and see what happens with Aljo."

Source: MMA Fighting