Alexander Volkanovski has another target if Justin Gaethje retires

Alexander Volkanovski wants a third chance at becoming a two-division UFC champion – with or without fighting Justin Gaethje.

Volkanovski (29-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) has been campaigning for weeks for a superfight against the UFC lightweight champion, but now there's a new wrinkle to his proposal. Volkanovski seemed to be targeting Gaethje specifically, but now he's expanded his interest in a lightweight move beyond the current champ. Should Gaethje retire, as he's said is a possibility, Volkanovski would like to fight No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan for the vacant belt.

"The idea is that I don't want to take away opportunities away from other people, but I mean, I guess I'm not, because Arman is the one who's deserving," Volkanovski told Ariel Helwani. "Then you have Paddy (Pimblett) and Ilia (Topuria) who just fought for the title anyway. Them two fighting each other, and myself and Arman fighting at the same time. The winner of that ends up fighting the winner. ... I'll vacate featherweight belt, fight Arman for the title, there it is. I'm starting to get more excited for that than the Gaethje fight."

Volkanovski is in a good position to call his shots. UFC CEO Dana White said there "isn't much" they can deny Volkanovski after putting away Movsar Evloev in the main event of UFC 333 this past Saturday. It's unknown how things will play out, but if a lightweight title shot is not next for the Australian, he intends to continue defending his featherweight belt against contenders like Aljamain Sterling and Jean Silva."They're both there," Volkanovski said. "The fact that Aljamain remains fighting, you're going to have that recency bias. It's not even recency bias; he's obviously, I think he's had more high-level fights. It's hard, mate. I don't want to take away opportunities from anyone. I like Jean Silva. I like Aljamain, but I believe if Aljamain wins another fight, I feel like Aljamain deserves it more. When we're talking deserves more, I'm going to say Aljo. Aljo deserves it more. But who do I think is next? They're both worthy competitors, and they're both in a position they'll probably go, but who do I think deserves it more? Aljamain, especially after another win, taking a fight against a dangerous guy like Kevin (Vallejos)."

Jean Silva fought at this year's Noche UFC, submitting Jose Delgado. That put him on a two-fight winning streak having beaten Arnold Allen in January. Prior to the pair of victories, Silva was stopped by Diego Lopes. On the other hand, he is also on a two-fight winning streak with an opportunity to make it three in a row. Sterling takes on Kevin Vallejos next month at UFC Fight Night 294.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Alexander Volkanovski has another target if Justin Gaethje retires