Volkanovski would fight Tsarukyan for lightweight gold if Gaethje steps away
Alexander Volkanovski says he would take a lightweight title fight against Arman Tsarukyan if champion Justin Gaethje steps away. The Australian, who defended the featherweight belt at UFC 333 against Movsar Evloev, has lost two previous shots at the 155-pound title, both to Islam Makhachev.
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Alexander Volkanovski aceitaria uma luta pelo cinturão dos leves contra Arman Tsarukyan se Justin Gaethje desistir.
Gaethje tem soado incerto sobre o futuro desde que conquistou o cinturão dos leves do UFC no UFC Freedom 250. Tsarukyan, por sua vez, reforçou o pedido com um nocaute sobre Mauricio Ruffy em setembro, no UFC 331. Volkanovski, do seu lado, defendeu o cinturão dos penas no UFC 333 contra Movsar Evloev, que chegara invicto.
Volkanovski pediu Gaethje abertamente, mas aceita que Tsarukyan conquistou a próxima chance nas 155 libras. Uma vaga aberta, na visão dele, é a oportunidade de buscar um segundo cinturão sem tirar essa chance do armênio.
“Se eu fosse campeão nos leves, eu luto com o Arman”, disse a Ariel Helwani. “Se o Gaethje não quiser fazer isso, eu faço. Isso me empolga.”
Ele elogiou o grappling de Tsarukyan e depois deixou claro que confia na própria defesa. “Todo mundo sabe como eu sou contra wrestlers”, disse. “Acho que ele é um dos melhores wrestlers e grapplers do UFC, mas você não vai me segurar no chão. Nem o Arman. Tenho muito respeito por ele, mas eu vou levantar, e a gente fica em pé e luta. Ele também tem um bom striking, então vai ser uma luta divertida.”
Volkanovski disputou o cinturão dos leves duas vezes e perdeu as duas, para Islam Makhachev.
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