Volkanovski Eyes Topuria Rematch if Gaethje Steps Away

Alexander Volkanovski has a plan for how his career ends. He wants a championship super fight against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, aimed at early to mid 2027, and he has also named a fallback: a rematch with Ilia Topuria if Gaethje retires first.

Volkanovski is nearing the end of a hall of fame career, and he wants to leave the UFC in the most spectacular way possible. A super fight with Gaethje is the route he has chosen.

Volkanovski lost to Topuria in 2024. Topuria in turn lost the lightweight title, and his undefeated record, to Gaethje at UFC White House last June.

"Get that win back"

Speaking to Brendan Bradford, Volkanovski said a title fight at 155 pounds would suit him for a second reason. "If it was going to be for a lightweight title, that'd be great, because I get that win back as well," he said. Gaethje took Topuria's zero, he added, so he cannot say he gets the chance to take it from him.

He had kind words for the man he was talking about. "Nothing against him obviously, he's a great fighter, great dude, we get along well," Volkanovski said.

Retirement either way

Volkanovski described himself as a competitor who would like to test himself against Topuria. He said how that would work "probably doesn't make sense", and that if Gaethje does retire, "maybe I can find someone". Win, lose or draw, he said, he retires after the fight, so he would not be holding up the division. "That'll be something very exciting," he said. "And I think everyone should be on board on that."

The Australian is 29-4 and arrives at the idea off a technical knockout of Movsar Evloev in the UFC 333 main event in Abu Dhabi. It was his third straight win since the loss to Topuria. UFC CEO Dana White is on board with whatever Volkanovski wants to do next. What remains is finding a willing opponent.

Source: MMA Mania