Dana White Reveals Justin Gaethje Is Holding Up Proposed Alexander Volkanovski Super Fight

UFC CEO Dana White stated on the Jim Rome show that he would do almost anything for Alexander Volkanovski, but booking a super fight depends entirely on what Justin Gaethje decides to do next.

The promotion's head executive made it clear that matchmakers are ready to facilitate the massive matchup if both men want it.

However, the ultimate stumbling block remains the uncertain future of the newly crowned lightweight champion.

White addressed the ongoing situation directly while speaking on the Jim Rome program.

"I would pretty much do anything for Alexander Volkanovski at this point in his career. Great guy, great champion, great athlete. The big question is ‘What does Justin Gaethje wanna do?.’"

The UFC boss emphasized that Gaethje's recent achievements give him full control over what happens next.

"Justin coming off this unbelievable win at the White House," White added during the appearance.

"He is an incredible athlete too, what does he want to do next?"

That uncertainty has brought negotiations for a monumental champion-versus-champion spectacle to an effective standstill.

GAETHJE'S HISTORIC TITLE WIN

The current lightweight champion reached the pinnacle of the division this past summer.

Justin Gaethje secured the undisputed UFC lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

The historic event took place on the grounds of the White House.

Gaethje delivered a signature performance against previously undefeated champion Ilia Topuria.

Known to combat sports fans as 'The Highlight', Gaethje stopped Topuria late in the fourth round.

The stoppage handed Topuria the first loss of his professional mixed martial arts career.

Following the crowning moment, Gaethje refused to rush into any long-term career declarations.

He stated inside the Octagon that night that he had made a promise to his mother.

That promise required him to avoid making any decisions about his fighting future inside the cage.

Since that evening, Gaethje has stayed away from public fight negotiations.

INJURIES AND A DISTANT TIMELINE

Physical wear and tear has played a major role in slowing down Gaethje's return to active competition.

The lightweight champion has been rehabilitating significant damage sustained to both of his hands.

In August, Gaethje addressed his condition and indicated that a speedy return was entirely out of the question.

He revealed publicly that he would not fight again before 2027.

Gaethje explained that he intends to use the extended hiatus to evaluate potential retirement alongside his family.

Because of that timeline, the lightweight champion has not addressed Volkanovski's open challenge publicly.

His prolonged recovery leaves the division's schedule in a precarious position.

VOLKANOVSKI'S RETIREMENT BLUEPRINT

While Gaethje contemplates stepping away, Alexander Volkanovski has been aggressively lobbying for the superfight.

The Australian champion laid out his proposal both before and after his recent title defense at UFC 333.

Volkanovski entered that contest at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi against Movsar Evloev.

Evloev entered the cage with an unblemished professional record and heavy wrestling credentials.

Volkanovski dismantled the undefeated challenger in emphatic fashion.

The Australian secured a stoppage via ground strikes with just six seconds left in the second round.

The referee halted the bout at 4:54 of round two.

The dominant performance marked Volkanovski's ninth victory in a UFC featherweight title fight.

That milestone pushed him past Brazilian legend José Aldo for the most featherweight title victories in company history.

The victory also elevated Volkanovski's overall mixed martial arts record to 29-4.

Fresh off the triumph, Volkanovski pitched an unprecedented retirement clause to entice Gaethje back into the Octagon.

Volkanovski suggested that both active champions put their gloves down together following the contest.

"That’s something I would retire for," Volkanovski told reporters during the UFC 333 post-fight press conference.

"If they wanted to give me that opportunity, I would retire."

"Win or lose, retire."

Under Volkanovski's blueprint, the fight would not paralyze either the featherweight or lightweight weight classes.

Because both competitors would walk away immediately, both championship titles would instantly become vacant.

HOOKER BACKS VOLKANOVSKI'S LIGHTWEIGHT AMBITIONS

Volkanovski's push to return to the 155-pound division has received ringing endorsements from his closest training partners.

Veteran UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker strongly supports Volkanovski's plan to pursue a second championship belt.

Hooker trains alongside Volkanovski at City Kickboxing in New Zealand.

The veteran has witnessed Volkanovski's evolution firsthand over several championship training camps.

Hooker believes Volkanovski has conquered everything possible at 145 pounds.

Even at 38 years old, Hooker insists that 'The Great' possesses the tools to conquer the lightweight division's elite.

Hooker broke down the potential matchups during an interview with Submission Radio.

“I like both of those fights," Hooker said during the broadcast.

"I like Volk versus Gaethje."

"I like Volk versus Tsarukyan," Hooker continued.

"I think he can get the job done."

"My man is like fine wine."

"He is getting better with age," Hooker concluded.

Volkanovski's commanding stoppage of Evloev reinforced Hooker's assessment across the mixed martial arts landscape.

At age 38, Volkanovski remains a two-time featherweight champion who boasts six successful title defenses.

Throughout his UFC career, he has suffered defeats to only two competitors.

Both of those career setbacks occurred against Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.