Volkanovski targets Tsarukyan for lightweight gold if Gaethje walks away

Alexander Volkanovski has declared he would pursue the UFC lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan if champion Justin Gaethje opts to walk away from the sport, telling Ariel Helwani the prospect genuinely excites him. Gaethje has expressed uncertainty about his future since winning the 155-pound belt at UFC Freedom 250.

Tsarukyan has made a compelling case for a title shot of his own, knocking out Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in September to underline his credentials as the division’s leading contender. Volkanovski, who retained his featherweight championship against previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, acknowledged that Tsarukyan deserves the next crack at the belt — but sees a potential vacancy as a route to the title that sidesteps any queue-jumping controversy.

“If I was champion at lightweight, I’m fighting Arman,” Volkanovski said. “If Gaethje doesn’t want to do that, I’ll do it. That excites me.”

Volkanovski was candid in his respect for Tsarukyan’s grappling ability while insisting it would not be enough to keep him grounded. “I think he’s one of the best wrestlers and grapplers in the UFC, but you ain’t holding me down. Even Arman. I’ve got so much respect for him, but I’m getting back up, and we’re standing and fighting. He’s got good stand-up too, so that’ll be a fun fight.”

The Australian’s ambitions at lightweight are not new. He has challenged for the 155-pound title twice before, losing on both occasions to Islam Makhachev. A fight with Tsarukyan would represent a third attempt to become a two-weight world champion, this time via a different path should the belt become vacant rather than contested.