Dana White is open to granting Alexander Volkanovski his wish to face Justin Gaethje in a retirement fight, but the potential superfight hinges on the lightweight champion’s future plans.
Volkanovski recently defended his featherweight title with a knockout victory over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333. Immediately after the win, the Australian champion revealed his desire to end his legendary career with a blockbuster matchup against Gaethje.
Gaethje captured the UFC lightweight championship earlier this year with a victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. However, the American has yet to confirm whether he intends to return to the Octagon or retire from the sport.
Speaking on The Jim Rome Show on Wednesday, White made it clear that he would be willing to make Volkanovski’s retirement wish a reality.
“I would pretty much do anything for Alexander Volkanovski at this point in his career. Great guy, great champion, great athlete,” White said.
“The big question is, what does Justin Gaethje want to do? Justin coming off this unbelievable win at the White House, and he's an incredible athlete, too. What does he want to do next?”
White also discussed Gaethje’s recent success outside the Octagon, including his performance at Fanatics Fest and his involvement in a golf league organized by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.
“They do that Fanatics Fest in New York, and they have this athletic competition that you have to go through to win. One year it was a Ferrari, and then I don't remember what it was last year. But, yeah, guys like Sean Brady and all these NFL guys, Justin Gaethje won that thing,” White said.
“And then, this new golf league that's going on right now that they're doing on that Portnoy's got. I heard that Gaethje's doing well on that, too.”
Despite his willingness to make the fight, White admitted that Gaethje’s future remains uncertain as discussions continue.
“I don't know yet where his head is at. He's in the middle of this golf thing that Portnoy's doing. And then, you know, we're talking to him, but we'll figure it out,” White said.
“He's going to have to pull the trigger one way or the other, see if he wants to retire or continue to fight.”
