White Presses Gaethje to Decide on His Future

The fight Alexander Volkanovski wants is stuck on one man's answer. UFC CEO Dana White says Justin Gaethje has to "pull the trigger one way or another" on his future.

A champion who has not committed

Gaethje beat Ilia Topuria earlier this year to win the lightweight title. Since then he has been non-committal about his plans, leaving open the chance that he retires and vacates the belt.

Others are waiting behind him. Arman Tsarukyan, who recently beat Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, is among the top lightweights who want a shot at the title. The report suggests Gaethje could decide in the coming weeks.

What White told Jim Rome

White spoke on The Jim Rome Show when he was asked about a Gaethje and Volkanovski super fight. He said he would do pretty much anything for Volkanovski at this point in the featherweight champion's career, and he called him a great guy, athlete and champion.

The open question, in White's words, is what Gaethje wants to do next. He praised the lightweight champion's win at the White House as unbelievable. The UFC is talking to Gaethje, White said, but does not know yet.

Volkanovski's push

Volkanovski finished Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 and then called for a fight with Gaethje. He keeps calling for that matchup while Gaethje weighs what comes next.

A pattern of impatience

The report ties White's tone to his recent frustration with welterweight titleholder Islam Makhachev, after Makhachev's sudden pivot away from fighting at UFC 336. White now wants Gaethje's answer without delay.

Source: BJPenn.com