Dana White awaits Gaethje retirement call as Volkanovski eyes lightweight title rematch

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed the promotion is waiting on lightweight champion Justin Gaethje to decide whether he will continue fighting, with a potential cross-division title matchup against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski contingent on that call.

Gaethje has yet to announce his next move following his undisputed 155-pound title victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Speaking on The Jim Rome Show, White made clear his admiration for Volkanovski but said Gaethje holds the key to what comes next.

“I would pretty much do anything for Alexander Volkanovski at this point in his career,” White said. “Great guy, great athlete, great champion. The big question is: what does Justin Gaethje wanna do?”

White added that conversations with Gaethje are ongoing but that a decision cannot be delayed indefinitely. “Justin, coming off this unbelievable win at the White House — he’s an incredible athlete too; what does he wanna do next? I don’t know yet. We’re talking to him, but we’ll figure it out. He’s going to have to pull the trigger one way or another.”

Volkanovski, for his part, has already mapped out his options. The Australian has publicly acknowledged that Arman Tsarukyan is next in line for a legitimate lightweight title shot, but has also indicated he would be willing to fight Tsarukyan for a vacant championship should Gaethje choose to retire.

The situation leaves the lightweight division in a state of flux. If Gaethje walks away, Volkanovski versus Tsarukyan becomes the most logical path to a new champion. If Gaethje stays active, a champion-versus-champion showdown with Volkanovski — who previously challenged for the lightweight belt — emerges as one of the UFC’s most marketable bouts.