flag
back Retour
Alexander Volkanovski explains double retirement idea vs. Justin Gaethje
Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje (photo illustration)

ABU DHABI – Justin Gaethje has been toying with the idea of retirement, and Alexander Volkanovski thinks it would be a fun idea to join him in a farewell fight.

Volkanovski currently holds the belt at 145 pounds, while Gaethje is champion at 155. Both fighters have had legendary MMA careers in their own ways, but are nearing the ends of their fighting days with a combined 65 professional fights.

If Volkanovski successfully defends his featherweight belt Saturday against Movsar Eveloev in the UFC 333 main event, the Australian would love to do a non-title superfight with "The Highlight" in which both would hang up their gloves afterward.

"I even mentioned being like a retirement fight, and a lot of people are acting like I meant the next fight needs to be the retirement fight. It doesn't," Volkanovski told MMA Junkie on Sunday. "But at the same time, if that was offered to me, I go out there and do my thing and get my hand raised.

"I know Gaethje doesn't really know what he wants to do. Well, maybe if you do one more, I can do that with you, and then we go out there, have our superfight, and then vacate the belts after and retire. The divisions can sort themselves out while we have our little fairytale superfight ending and sail off into the sunset.

Volkanovski thinks a fight against Gaethje would sell itself. It doesn't need to be a championship fight, and he would rather have it that way. He can see himself vacating his belt along with Gaethje, and then doing one final dance. He doesn't think any division needs to be put on hold for the potential superfight.

"I think that would be a cool story that's never been done, and you're not holding up the divisions doing it," Volkanovski said. "I've always said I don't want to hold up divisions. I don't think that does. Me still being a champion holds up the division because there are so many fighters that don't really deserve a fight and have to wait on who is next. If I'm out of the picture, then there's so many fights they can do for the belt.

"That's why I'm like, 'Maybe the UFC wouldn't mind that.' We could do a superfight, then at the same time let all the other fights happen. I just thought that would be pretty cool and could be something. Obviously, a lot of people jumped on it and ran with it, and now I'm getting asked about it quite a bit."

You may like

Boxer storms out of ring as he suffers ‘robbery’ in British title fight according to Tyson Fury

sportbible.com il y a 1 jour

David Benavidez Names Oleksandr Usyk Among 3 Major Targets for New Three-Fight Deal

si.com il y a 52 minutes

Boxing-Figueroa withdraws from Kameda fight due to illness after losing WBA featherweight title

straitstimes.com il y a 1 jour

Smith v Puello - all you need to know

bbc.co.uk il y a 12 heures

UFC Edmonton video: Mandel Nallo dissects Nate Landwehr for TKO

aol.com il y a 1 jour

Police Officer vs Former Prisoner Bare Knuckle Boxing Match Ends in Brutal Fashion

givemesport.com il y a 6 heures

Joe Pyfer: Imavov's antics 'a little bit ridiculous,' Strickland not afraid of him

aol.com il y a 4 heures

‘South African boxing is punching above its weight’

timeslive.co.za il y a 10 heures

Video: BKFC 95 highlights, including Jimmie Rivera's terrifying KO

aol.com il y a 22 heures