Dana White pushes Gaethje to finalize Volkanovski super fight

UFC CEO Dana White has a clear message for lightweight champion Justin Gaethje: make a decision.

White is pressing Gaethje to either commit to a champion-versus-champion super fight against Alexander Volkanovski or announce his retirement.

The call comes after Volkanovski, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, finished Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 and immediately called for a shot at the lightweight title.

Volkanovski wants Gaethje. But Gaethje has not said whether he will fight again.

White spoke about the situation during a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show.

“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?”

Gaethje won the undisputed 155-pound championship earlier this year when he finished Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

That victory, which took place at the White House, was a career-defining moment for the 36-year-old.

But instead of calling out his next opponent, Gaethje left the door open to retirement.

He has not committed to fighting again.

He has not vacated the belt.

He has simply waited.

White acknowledged that Gaethje’s future remains unresolved.

“Justin, coming off this unbelievable win at the White House. He’s an incredible athlete too; what does he wanna do next?” White said.

“I don’t know yet… We’re talking to him, but we’ll figure it out.”

White then delivered the line that sets the stakes.

“He’s going to have to pull the trigger one way or another,” White continued.

That phrase — pull the trigger — means White wants Gaethje to choose: fight Volkanovski or retire.

There is no middle ground.

Volkanovski, meanwhile, has been clear about his intentions.

After defeating Evloev, the featherweight champion made it known that he wants another shot at lightweight gold.

Volkanovski has already fought for the lightweight title once before, losing a close decision to Islam Makhachev in 2023.

Now he wants a second chance — this time against Gaethje.

Volkanovski has also acknowledged that Arman Tsarukyan deserves the next lightweight title shot.

Tsarukyan is fresh off a win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 and has been waiting for his opportunity.

Volkanovski has expressed willingness to face Tsarukyan for a vacant championship if Gaethje retires.

But his first choice is Gaethje.

A super fight. Champion versus champion.

White seems to agree.

“I would pretty much do anything for Alexander Volkanovski at this point in his career,” White repeated.

That level of support from the UFC CEO is rare.

White is known for being blunt with fighters, but his willingness to accommodate Volkanovski signals how much respect the featherweight champion has earned.

Volkanovski has been a dominant champion at 145 pounds, defending his belt multiple times against top contenders.

He is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

A super fight with Gaethje would be one of the biggest matchups the UFC could make in 2027.

Both men are known for their aggressive styles and finishing ability.

Gaethje is a former interim champion who finally captured the undisputed belt after years of wars inside the octagon.

His victory over Topuria was the pinnacle of a career built on violence and resilience.

But that win may have also been the perfect exit.

Gaethje has been open in the past about not wanting to fight past his prime.

He has seen what happens to fighters who stay too long.

Now he has the belt.

He has the money.

He has the legacy.

The question is whether he has the desire to do it again.

White’s patience appears to be running thin.

This is not the first time White has grown frustrated with a champion’s indecision.

Earlier this year, White expressed frustration with welterweight champion Islam Makhachev after Makhachev suddenly pivoted from fighting at UFC 336.

White does not like waiting.

And he does not like uncertainty.

With Gaethje, the uncertainty has lasted months.

A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

If Gaethje chooses to fight, the Volkanovski matchup is likely to be booked for early 2027.

If Gaethje chooses to retire, the lightweight title will become vacant, and Volkanovski could fight Tsarukyan for the belt.

Either way, the division is waiting on one man.

Gaethje holds the key.

White made that clear.