Dana White Reacts to Alexander Volkanovski to Lightweight Division and Islam Makhachev’s Postponed Title Fight

Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight belt at UFC 333 against undefeated contender Movsar Evloev. Volkanovski wants to fight for the lightweight title one more time before he retires. UFC CEO Dana White said that he was open to the idea of Volk going up again.

Recently, Volk pitched the idea of moving up and fighting Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title in a retirement bout. He has fought for the lightweight belt on two previous occasions against Islam Makhachev, but didn’t win the title.

At 38 years of age, Volk’s time in the sport is running out. As such, White indicated that he was willing to support the two-time featherweight champion in all that he wanted to do before retirement.

When a guy gets to his level, there isn’t too many things we’d say ‘no’ to him about. If he’s got things he wants to do before he hangs it up, I’m sure we’ll be very supportive.

Dana White via Main Event TV

So you’re saying there’s a chance 😌 Dana White is open to the idea of Alex Volkanovski returning to lightweight to face Justin Gaethje #ufc333 📆Sunday 25 October ⏰ 5AM AEDT (Volk’s fight after 7AM) 📺 @maineventtv on @kayosports https://t.co/ht1GMGqQ7d

— MAIN EVENT (@MainEventTV) October 23, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett are eyeing a title fight in the lightweight division. As such, Volkanovski may need to dispatch Evloev in a stunning fashion to leapfrog other contenders to fight Gaethje next year for the lightweight title.

At the same time, Volkanovski also admitted that he would consider retirement if the UFC 333 bout goes awfully bad. Volk’s double champion ambition is on the line when he faces Movsar Evloev soon.

Islam Makhachev vs Carlos Prates not set for January? Dana White Reacts

Speaking of the division above, Islam Makhachev reigns as the welterweight champion after defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. Brazilian knockout artist, Carlos Prates, is next for him.

The duo were rumored to fight each other at UFC 336 in January of 2027. The Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is the reported destination.

Recently, a combat sports news breaking company, Ag Fight, revealed that Makhachev remained unavailable for that date.

This led to Nina Drama asking Dana White about the rumor. Although White admitted that Makhachev vs Prates was next, he replied that it was interesting to hear about the postponement.

🚨 Dana White is asked about the reports of Islam Makhachev being OUT of the Carlos Prates fight: "Ah. Interesting." 🤔 (via @Ninadrama) https://t.co/BqPx7Cabwh

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 23, 2026

Veteran journalist, Ariel Helwani, later revealed that Makhachev vs Prates will not happen in Canada and the promotion were looking elsewhere to put on a welterweight title fight.

Islam Makhachev vs Carlos Prates is no longer the target to headline UFC 336 in Toronto, per sources. That was originally the hope/plan, but I’m told the UFC is looking elsewhere now. Date doesn’t work for Makhachev anymore. Unclear why. No word just yet on the new target. First reported by @AgFight.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 23, 2026

In the coming weeks, the promotion will give more details about the UFC 336 card in Canada. It remains to be seen who the promotion chooses to replace Makhachev vs Prates in the main event slot.

Max Holloway thinks everyone is underestimating Alexander Volkanovski

Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski fought three times, with ‘The Great’ besting the ‘Blessed’ each time. Nevertheless, their first two fights were extremely close and Holloway knows a thing or two about Volk.

Volkanovski is not a betting favorite for his bout against Evloev at UFC 333. The odds are very close due to Volk’s age and Evloev’s undefeated status. However, Holloway felt that the bout was tailor-made for the Australian MMA legend.

I think this is a great matchup for [Volk]. A lot of people keep talking about Movsar’s wrestling. He fought Islam twice… Alexander Volkanovski is just a different animal. I really think people are sleeping on Alex. Alex is just so smart. I’m going Volk here with a decision. I think the world is gonna see. You guys gotta put a little more respect on Volkanovski’s name.

Max Holloway said on his livestream

Max Holloway picks Alexander Volkanovski to beat Movsar Evloev by decision 👀 "I think this is a great matchup for [Volk]. A lot of people keep talking about Movsar’s wrestling. He fought Islam twice… Alexander Volkanovski is just a different animal. I really think people are sleeping on Alex. Alex is just so smart. I’m going Volk here with a decision. I think the world is gonna see. You guys gotta put a little more respect on Volkanovski’s name." (via @BlessedMMA)

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 23, 2026

Volkanovski has promised fans a striking battle, intending to stuff all the takedown attempts from Evloev. Meanwhile, the coach of Evloev believed that Volk was no longer in his prime and would struggle to compete for 25 minutes against the Russian star.

All will get the answers in a matter of hours when the UFC 333 card in Abu Dhabi begins.

Also Read:

• UFC Hall of Famer Wants Islam Makhachev to Follow Alexander Volkanovski’s Approach to Keep 170-Pound Division Moving
• Daniel Cormier and Dana White Responds to Alex Pereira for Making Claims About Role in Josh Hokit’s Title Shot