Dana White says UFC would back Volkanovski's lightweight farewell, Gaethje fight unbooked

MMA-TV Newsroom Summarized with AI Today at 2:46 AM AI checked 4 minutes ago

The bottom line

No fight is booked, but Dana White says the UFC would be very supportive of Volkanovski's lightweight send-off, though he must first beat Evloev at UFC 333.

From 12 reports by 8 outlets

Dana White says UFC would back Volkanovski's lightweight farewell, Gaethje fight unbooked — Photo via BJPenn.com

What we know

No Volkanovski vs. Gaethje fight has been booked; Dana White's comments express general support, and he did not comment on that specific matchup.
Volkanovski proposed a lightweight title super fight with Gaethje as a retirement send-off for both men.
Volkanovski defends the featherweight title against unbeaten Movsar Evloev in the UFC 333 main event in Abu Dhabi.

Reported, not confirmed

Gaethje, the UFC lightweight champion, has not decided whether he will return to fight. Bloody Elbow
Arman Tsarukyan expects to fight for the lightweight title early next year. Bloody Elbow
Kevin Vallejos fights Aljamain Sterling at UFC Qatar in November and wants a title shot at Volkanovski if he wins. Bloody Elbow

Today at 2:46 AM

Dana White has signalled the UFC will not stand in Alexander Volkanovski's way if he wants one more run at lightweight before retiring. "If he's got things he wants to do before he hangs it up, I'm sure we'll be very supportive," White told Main Event. He also called Volkanovski one of the greatest of all time. Asked specifically about Justin Gaethje, White only said Volkanovski can mix it up with anybody, according to Bloody Elbow, so the support is general rather than a commitment to this fight.

Volkanovski floated the idea on Who The Fook Are These Guys as a send-off for two veterans with the lightweight title on the line. According to Bloody Elbow, he has spoken of both men vacating their titles so neither division is held up. It would be his third attempt at lightweight gold after two losses to Islam Makhachev.

The pitch complicates the lightweight picture. Arman Tsarukyan expects to fight for the title early next year, and Bloody Elbow says it is unclear whether he would face Gaethje, who has yet to decide whether he will return. MMA Mania notes there are more deserving contenders at 155 pounds.

Everything hinges on Volkanovski handing Movsar Evloev his first loss; Heavy describes the fight as close to pick 'em odds. Featherweight Kevin Vallejos, meanwhile, hopes Volkanovski stays at 145 pounds so he can fight him after facing Aljamain Sterling at UFC Qatar in November.

Summary: No fight is booked, but Dana White says the UFC would be very supportive of Volkanovski's lightweight send-off, though he must first beat Evloev at UFC 333.

Key points (one per line): Dana White says the UFC would be very supportive if Volkanovski wants to try something before retiring
No Volkanovski vs. Gaethje fight is booked; Gaethje has not said whether he will return
Volkanovski defends the featherweight title against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi