UFC 333: Volkanovski stops Evloev, fought sick, would retire for Gaethje fight

Volkanovski did more than retain the featherweight title in Abu Dhabi. He turned a win over an unbeaten challenger into a negotiating position, and used it straight away: a fight with Justin Gaethje is, in his words, "something I would retire for."

The offer comes with conditions meant to keep the divisions moving. He would retire win or lose, and if he won the lightweight belt he would vacate it. He pitched it as two 38-year-olds going out together. Dana White did not commit but said it is hard to say no to a fighter of his standing. Gaethje, 37, has not responded, and the timing is open.

Volkanovski also knows the lightweight line is crowded. He called Arman Tsarukyan a deserving No. 1 contender and said he would fight him for the vacant belt if Gaethje retired. If no superfight comes, he says he will take fights one at a time and probably keep going if he takes little damage.

His camp has already looked at 145. Coach Joe Lopez told Submission Radio that Silva has not earned a shot, and Heavy on UFC reports the team would prefer Sterling. Sterling answered on Instagram: "This division is mine. Second belt soon." He fights Kevin Vallejos on November 21 at UFC Qatar, and Heavy on UFC notes Silva, Sterling and Vallejos are all ahead of Evloev in the queue.

He did all this while ill. Volkanovski said he started getting sick before the fight and still felt fit enough to win, and several outlets reported he turned down medication to avoid any sporting advantage.

For Evloev, 32, the first loss of his career is a reset. He said he did not prove he is the best, left a rematch open, and said he needs to go home and recover from injuries. White, asked about his path back, said you'd have to see who he fights and how it goes. Paddy Pimblett said on YouTube that Evloev quit when he covered up with five seconds left; Evloev has not answered that.

Watch for Gaethje's response and any UFC move toward a lightweight booking. Without one, Volkanovski's next step at 145 likely runs through the winner of Sterling and Vallejos.