{
  "id": 16978549,
  "title": "Alex Volkanovski pivots to 2 new options if Justin Gaethje fight can't happen next: 'That excites me'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/alex-volkanovski-pivots-to-2-new-options-if-justin-gaethje-fight-cant",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-28T23:48:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/alex-volkanovski-pivots-to-2-new-fight-options-if-justin-gaethje-cant-happen-next-that-excites-me-235012065.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Alexander Volkanovski, the 38-year-old UFC featherweight champion, delivered a dominant victory over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. Volkanovski is now looking towards his next fight, with a lightweight title bout being his top choice. However, current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has not yet decided whether he will continue his career or retire. In the event Gaethje does not fight, Volkanovski has proposed Arman Tsarukyan as his alternative opponent. Volkanovski expressed excitement about a potential title fight between Tsarukyan and himself, stating that he believes he could handle a wrestler like Tsarukyan. Volkanovski, who has lost to Islam Makhachev twice in lightweight title fights, is confident in his abilities against Tsarukyan. He emphasizes that his primary goal is to retire as a fighting champion and not to take away opportunities from other deserving fighters. Despite facing a crowded lineup of featherweight contenders, Volkanovski believes that Aljamain Sterling would be the most deserving opponent to challenge him next.",
  "summary": "Volkanovski still wants Gaethje more than anything else. But a lightweight title bout against Arman Tsarukyan or a featherweight defense against Aljamain Sterling? Now you have his attention.",
  "key_points": [
    "Alexander Volkanovski seeks new options if Gaethje fight doesn't happen.",
    "Proposed alternative: Arman Tsarukyan for lightweight title bout.",
    "Excited about potential Tsarukyan vs. Volkanovski championship fight."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Volkanovski is diversifying his championship path to ensure he retires with gold, prioritizing title opportunities over waiting for a potentially retiring Justin Gaethje to make a decision.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}