Volkanovski destroys Evloev, calls out Gaethje for retirement superfight

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (38, Australia) has again called for a joint retirement bout against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (37, United States) after defeating unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev (32, Russia). The vision of capping his career in style — while making another run at a second divisional title — has consumed him both before and after the victory.

Volkanovski stopped Evloev by TKO via punches at 4 minutes and 54 seconds of the second round in the UFC 333 main event featherweight title fight, held Sunday (Korean Standard Time) at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The win handed Evloev the first professional loss of his career, leaving Volkanovski with an overall record of 29 wins and 4 losses. Evloev, who had been riding a 20-fight winning streak, fell to 20-1.

The victory gave Volkanovski nine wins in UFC featherweight title fights, surpassing Jose Aldo of Brazil to claim the all-time record outright in that category. He also maintained a share of first place with Aldo for featherweight title defenses at seven. His title fight win total exceeds his defense count by two because he lost the belt to Ilia Topuria once before reclaiming it.

At the post-fight press conference, Volkanovski named a superfight with Gaethje as his next goal. Floating the idea of both fighters meeting and retiring together, he said, "That's a fight I could retire from. If I get that opportunity, win or lose, I'll retire."

He also indicated that even if he were to capture the lightweight title, he would relinquish it immediately so as not to disrupt the competitive opportunities of younger fighters.

A shot at the lightweight championship has long been Volkanovski's ambition. He previously challenged for the lightweight title twice against Islam Makhachev of Russia, losing both times. A bout with Gaethje would mark his third attempt at lightweight gold.

UFC President Dana White, speaking at the post-fight press conference, left the door wide open to the superfight, saying of Volkanovski's proposal: "There's not a lot we can say no to when you think about what he's accomplished."

Volkanovski also said he would be willing to challenge for the lightweight title even if Arman Tsarukyan of Armenia became champion instead of Gaethje. He added, however, that he has no desire to strip existing contenders of their opportunities or delay the title picture.

Gaethje, for his part, is in no rush to respond. After defeating Ilia Topuria of Georgia and Spain in June to become the unified lightweight champion, he announced he had no plans to compete again this year, citing injury recovery.

Gaethje can afford to take his time — tending to his physical and mental recovery while watching how the lightweight title picture develops — rather than immediately answering Volkanovski's call. It is reasonable to expect he could wait until the first half of next year before deciding whether to return and, if so, against whom.

Volkanovski, too, has no intention of retiring immediately if the Gaethje fight does not materialize. He plans to continue defending the featherweight title and will make decisions about his career on a fight-by-fight basis.