Volkanovski's Gaethje Pitch Called 'Dumbest Idea Ever'

Alexander Volkanovski's plan to move up and challenge Justin Gaethje for the lightweight strap has drawn sharp criticism from Chael Sonnen, who called the proposal one of the worst he has ever heard in mixed martial arts.

The reigning featherweight champion wants to jump straight into a title fight at 155 pounds before hanging up his gloves, and Dana White has reportedly backed the move. But Sonnen told viewers on his YouTube channel that Volkanovski should drop his belt and work his way through the lightweight division without any guarantees. "Volkanovski just laid out one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard," the former title contender said, per MMA Mania.

Sonnen argued that fighters who genuinely want to test themselves at a new weight class should vacate their current title and enter the division like Max Holloway or Ilia Topuria did. Volkanovski has already lost twice to Islam Makhachev in lightweight title bids while holding the featherweight belt, and Sonnen said keeping that strap as insurance undermines the idea of a true test. "You want to test yourself, drop the belt, go into the division," he said, noting that Topuria was not guaranteed a title shot when he moved up from bantamweight.

Volkanovski turned 38 recently and has ruled out defending against Jean Silva at featherweight. Whether he gets a third crack at the lightweight title depends on Gaethje's plans, with the veteran slugger weighing retirement. One contender has already volunteered to face Volkanovski if he enters the 155-pound mix without a guaranteed shot.