Alexander Volkanovski Eyes Superfight Showdown with Justin Gaethje After UFC 333 Featherweight Defense

Alexander Volkanovski, the Australian UFC superstar, has indicated he would welcome a "retirement superfight" against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje following his successful featherweight title defense. Volkanovski secured a stunning second-round technical knockout victory over the previously undefeated Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Despite being considered an underdog by some, the 38-year-old Volkanovski dominated the bout, utilizing precise punching and effective ground and pound to force the referee's stoppage with only six seconds remaining in the second round. Volkanovski had predicted an early finish, a promise he kept on his wedding anniversary.

He had reportedly battled sickness leading up to the fight but stated he was "good enough to get out there and get it done." This victory marked his ninth successful defense of the UFC featherweight title across two reigns, extending his own record.

Volkanovski voiced his enthusiasm for a potential matchup with Gaethje, who is also 38 years old and holds the lightweight championship. "Whether it's both our retirement fight and put it on the line, which would be cool, a little bit of a super fight and 38-year-olds, just going at it and then we'll leave it all and let all the young fellows sort themselves out," Volkanovski said. "That's something I would retire for, if they wanted to give me that opportunity I would retire, win or lose."

UFC President Dana White reacted positively to the prospect of such a fight, stating, "when you've accomplished what he (Volkanovski) has accomplished there's not much we're going to say no to with him. The guy is an absolute stud, coming in and beating an undefeated younger (fighter) ... Volkanovski is incredible."

During the fight, Volkanovski landed effective strikes early on. While Evloev, an elite wrestler, managed three takedowns in the latter part of the first round, Volkanovski consistently returned to his feet. Despite sustaining a cut in the second round, Volkanovski closed the fight by bloodying Evloev's face with accurate punches.

Evloev, 32, acknowledged Volkanovski's skill, calling him "like good wine, older, stronger, better, he's truly a legend."

In the co-main event, Petr Yan successfully defended his bantamweight world title via unanimous decision against Merab Dvalishvili. Yan, who trains with Volkanovski, suggested a potential move up to featherweight to challenge the Australian.

Australians competing on the undercard had mixed results, with Colby Thicknesse winning his bantamweight bout by split decision, while Cam Rowston and Jacob Malkoun both lost their middleweight contests.