Volkanovski On Gaethje Title Shot Debate

Alexander Volkanovski could land the first title shot at Justin Gaethje's lightweight championship over Arman Tsarukyan, despite losing twice in previous attempts to claim the 155-pound belt. MMA Mania's mailbag revealed a staff split on who deserves the bout, with the consensus leaning toward Tsarukyan on merit but Volkanovski on UFC preference.

Tim Edwards floated the comparison to Jon Jones manufacturing his retirement fight. "It should be Arman Tsarukyan," Edwards wrote, per MMA Mania. "But, to me, it feels like it's going to be Volkanovski. This feels a lot like when Jon Jones was trying to manufacture the best swan song possible and the UFC were willing to play ball with that." Edwards suggested the promotion might accommodate Gaethje's preferred opponent if the champion views Volkanovski as a more favorable matchup.

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Why Tsarukyan Has The Stronger Case

Tsarukyan has climbed the lightweight ladder without a title opportunity, while Volkanovski failed to capture the belt in two prior attempts before moving back to featherweight. Multiple MMA Mania writers backed the Armenian contender as the rightful challenger. Thomas Myers dismissed Volkanovski's claim outright, noting the Australian has proven twice he cannot win at lightweight and suggesting Max Holloway would make a better retirement send-off for Gaethje if the UFC wants a box-office draw.

Volkanovski reclaimed his featherweight throne with a decision over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi last Saturday, his ninth title fight victory at 145 pounds. That performance cemented his status as the division's greatest fighter in the eyes of most observers polled by MMA Mania, surpassing Jose Aldo's legacy despite the Brazilian's longer reign.

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UFC 335 is expected to feature Alex Pereira against Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight bout. If Gaethje waits for that card to settle before booking his next defense, the title picture at lightweight could shift further depending on matchmaking decisions at featherweight and whether Volkanovski pursues Tsarukyan as an alternate route to Gaethje.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Mania Mailbag: Should Volkanovski or Tsarukyan get the next shot at Gaethje?