Alexander Volkanovski is keeping the door open—but not wide—for another run at lightweight gold after Justin Gaethje’s upset win over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.
Volkanovski said he does not currently see himself in the lightweight title picture, instead focusing on an expected featherweight title defense against Movsar Evloev later this year. He indicated that a successful defense could change his perspective on a move back up.
"Do I go up? People ask me, 'Would you do it?' Of course I'd do it. I'm going to call it if I feel like I deserve it," Volkanovski said, emphasizing that he wants to earn any future shot at a second divisional title.
The two-time featherweight titleholder previously challenged Islam Makhachev for lightweight gold at UFC 284 in February 2023 in a Fight of the Year contender, then took a short-notice rematch at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he was knocked out by a head kick in just over three minutes.
Volkanovski pointed to Arman Tsarukyan as the man he believes should be next for Gaethje. "Arman should be next, but when you're not doing what the UFC (likes) and not being a company man, you can be punished for it," he said.
For now, Volkanovski is not campaigning for a lightweight shot. "I'm not going to call for it. That's the type of champion I am. I think you need to earn it, but if the UFC wants to offer it? Of course. See two 38-year-old fellas go at it in the lightweight division. 100 percent. Of course I would."
"We'll see what happens."
