Alexander Volkanovski Outline Future Plans in Lightweight and Featherweight Divisions After UFC 333 Title Defense
Alexander Volkanovski has identified matchups in the featherweight and lightweight divisions to continue his MMA career.
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Alexander Volkanovski open to facing Arman Tsarukyan or Justin Gaethje (Image via UFC X Account/TNT Sports/Imago)
Alexander Volkanovski impressed everyone when he finished Movsar Evloev in the second round at UFC 333. After the bout, Volk decided to continue his illustrious MMA career and pursue another lightweight title shot if the promotion gave it to him.
Justin Gaethje is the reigning lightweight champion and Arman Tsarukyan is expected to challenge him next year. At the same time, Gaethje may retire if he doesn’t get a huge paycheck for his next bout. Volkanovski also called out ‘The Highlight’ to fight after UFC 333.
The featherweight champion got an approval from UFC CEO Dana White about moving up to the lightweight division for a title fight. As such, Volk revealed to Ariel Helwani that he was open to fighting anyone in the lightweight division as long as he gets a title shot.
Arman keeps saying that he thinks Justin is gonna retire. So if Justin really does retire, I think it’s all been settled. I’ll vacate the featherweight belt and fight Arman for the title. There it is. I’m starting to get more excited for that than the Gaethje fight.
Alexander Volkanovski told Ariel Helwani
Volk is increasingly interested in fighting Arman for the lightweight title and would be willing to vacate his featherweight belt to make it happen: “Arman keeps saying that he thinks Justin is gonna retire. So if Justin really does retire, I think it’s all been settled. I’ll vacate the featherweight belt and fight Arman for the title. There it is. I’m starting to get more excited for that than the Gaethje fight.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 28, 2026
Volk repeated what Tsarukyan kept saying about Gaethje. The Armenian contender is not sure if the lightweight champion will return for another fight. If that is the case, Volk wouldn’t mind facing Tsarukyan for the vacant title after Gaethje retires.
There is a rivalry brewing between Tsarukyan and Volkanovski after the Armenian superstar claimed that the featherweight champion couldn’t wrestle. After beating Evloev at UFC 333, Volk may be the best anti-grappler in the UFC.
Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett are also chasing a lightweight title shot. As such, Volk’s attempt to get another title fight at 155lbs depends on Gaethje’s actions. To that end, the Australian superstar is also keeping an eye on the featherweight division.
Alexander Volkanovski thinks there are two options for him at 145 pounds
After defeating Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, Alexander Volkanovski has challengers waiting for him in the featherweight division as well. Jean Silva, Aljamain Sterling and Kevin Vallejos are the three surging contenders who could receive the next title shot.
Sterling and Vallejos are scheduled to compete on the upcoming UFC Qatar card in November. During his interview with Helwani, the featherweight champion admitted that one among Silva, Sterling and Vallejos could become the next title challenger at 145lbs.
When we’re talking about who deserves it more, I’m gonna say Aljo. Especially after another win, taking a fight against a dangerous guy like Kevin. But if Aljo loses, then I think it’s just Jean. I think it really is up to that fight.
Alexander Volkanovski told Ariel Helwani
Volk believes Aljamain Sterling deserves the next featherweight title shot over Jean Silva if he beats Kevin Vallejos: "When we’re talking about who deserves it more, I’m gonna say Aljo. Especially after another win, taking a fight against a dangerous guy like Kevin. But if Aljo loses, then I think it’s just Jean. I think it really is up to that fight."
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 28, 2026
Sterling is on a two-fight winning streak and a win over Vallejos is enough to earn him a title shot in the featherweight division. Meanwhile, Vallejos is on a four-fight winning streak in the UFC.
The winner of the UFC Qatar co-main event could stake the claim to face Volk. However, Jean Silva is the dark horse of the featherweight division and his recent admission spoke volumes.
Jean Silva reveals conversation with UFC about fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Jean Silva entered the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series and defeated Kevin Vallejos to earn his UFC contract. After that, he put up an impressive five-fight winning streak before losing to Diego Lopes at Noche UFC last year.
Despite losing the momentum, Silva rebounded this year with wins over Arnold Allen and Jose Miguel Delgado. The Brazilian contender attended UFC 333 to see Volk fight Evloev.
In his recent interview with Ariel Helwani, the Brazilian star revealed that he had discussions with the UFC brass about a title shot. Silva didn’t like haters saying that he didn’t deserve a title shot. However, the decision was up to Volkanovski as the champion may move to the lightweight division.
Jean Silva reveals he’s already had discussions with the UFC about a potential title fight and they invited him to Abu Dhabi, but says it’s ultimately up to Volk: "What I don’t accept is people saying I’m not next, that I’m not the one who should be next. That I don’t accept. If Volk doesn’t want to fight me, that’s another story. But I don’t accept that I’m not deserving, because I’m the one who deserves to be next.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 28, 2026
Dana White and the UFC has a lot to figure out at the moment. They cannot keep the featherweight and lightweight divisions on hold while figuring out what Gaethje and Volkanovski does in their respective weight classes.
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