Volkanovski Welcomes Tsarukyan Title Fight if Gaethje Walks Away

Alexander Volkanovski has opened the door to a lightweight title fight against Arman Tsarukyan, saying he would step in if Justin Gaethje decides to walk away from the sport. Gaethje has spoken openly about uncertainty over his future since winning the lightweight championship at UFC Freedom 250, leaving the division's next move unclear. Tsarukyan, meanwhile, strengthened his claim to a title opportunity by knocking out Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in September. Volkanovski, who retained his featherweight crown against the previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, has already called for a meeting with Gaethje, but he acknowledged that Tsarukyan deserves the next lightweight shot. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, the Australian said that if he held the lightweight belt he would fight Tsarukyan without hesitation, and that if Gaethje did not want that fight, he would take it himself. He praised Tsarukyan's wrestling and grappling, rating him among the best in the UFC in that department, but insisted nobody could hold him down, adding that he would get back to his feet and turn it into a stand-up battle. Volkanovski has challenged for the lightweight title twice before, losing both times to Islam Makhachev, so a vacant-belt fight with Tsarukyan would offer him a third route to two-division glory.