Alexander Volkanovski says he wouldn’t turn down a title clash with Justin Gaethje, but sees unfinished business first

Alexander Volkanovski is not publicly campaigning for a fight with the newly crowned UFC champion Justin Gaethje, but he also is not dismissing the matchup. In comments reported by Yahoo Sports, the former two-division standout said he “wouldn’t turn it down,” even as he framed the path to a third championship opportunity as something that requires more work before he can reasonably move into that conversation.

The context matters in the UFC title ecosystem. When a fighter of Volkanovski’s profile speaks about what is “starting to linger,” it is rarely about a casual matchup preference. It usually indicates that a division clash could become more plausible depending on what happens next inside the rankings and title picture, particularly for a fighter who has repeatedly operated near the top of the sport’s most visible weight classes.

Volkanovski’s stance, as described in the report, is shaped by timing and legacy. He indicated that he believes he still has unfinished business before earning what would be his third chance to become a two-division UFC champion again. That framing suggests he does not view a shortcut to a two-title run as automatic, even if a champion like Gaethje is a compelling opponent on paper and a fight would be commercially and stylistically relevant.

The matchup concept itself carries clear appeal because of what it represents stylistically and competitively. Gaethje is known for high-output pressure and durability, qualities that tend to stress opponents in ways that are difficult to replicate against less dangerous challengers. Volkanovski, conversely, is typically discussed in terms of craft, adjustment, and control over the pace. A Volkanovski versus Gaethje title conversation therefore becomes more than a name match, it becomes a question about whether one man’s strengths can blunt the other’s best avenues to victory.

At the same time, Volkanovski’s comments also leave room for UFC process. By refusing to “call for” the fight, he appears to be acknowledging that champions are not simply handed an opponent based on personal desire. Title shots in the modern UFC are commonly shaped by rankings, recent results, and the promotion’s broader plan for each division’s momentum. In other words, even if the Volkanovski-Gaethje idea is appealing, it still needs a legitimate on-ramp rather than being purely reactive.

For fans, the next watch point is whether Volkanovski’s “more work to do” turns into a specific roadmap, such as a ranked opponent or a clear sequence of events that moves him back toward a two-division title opportunity. If the UFC decides to position him as the next logical contender after he completes that work, the lingering concept could become a formal booking quickly. If not, the champion-versus-champion discussion may shift toward other challengers while Volkanovski stays in a holding pattern.

In the meantime, the Volkanovski stance also functions as a message to the division: he is not trying to force the sport’s hand, but he is also indicating readiness if the timeline aligns. That balance, reported by Yahoo Sports, is likely why the matchup talk is already gaining traction even without a direct call for the fight.