Alexander Volkanovski considers Movsar Evloev a “worthy opponent” who definitely deserves a title shot and should have gotten one much earlier. However, the Aussie also believes Evloev beats everyone else in the featherweight division but not him.
During a recent sit-down with Megan Olivi, Volkanovski first lauded Evloev. He said:
“Movsar Evloev knows how to win. He’s undefeated. When you’re fighting someone that’s undefeated and knows how to win, he can go five rounds. He does have all the tools. He’s a worthy opponent. He’s definitely the one who deserves the shot, which I’m glad he’s getting. I thought he probably could have fought earlier, right? Like I thought he deserved it earlier.”
“When we’re talking opponents, again, very worthy opponent. I think he is the best outside myself.”
Current and two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will lock horns with the undefeated Movsar Evloev later this month at UFC 333. “The Great” considers the Russian fighter a favorable matchup for him stylistically and has explained why:
“I think he beats everyone else in the division. But when it comes to a matchup and stylistically, I believe one of the better matchups for me. So it’s weird. I look at him as being a bad matchup for everyone else except for me. I think for me, I look at other fighters that probably got more of a threat.”
The 38-year-old added that Evloev loves to fight for 25 minutes, but that game plan won’t work against him, as no one can beat “The Great “for 25 minutes. He also said that although Evloev is well-rounded, the latter’s skills won’t be enough to trouble him when the octagon door shuts at UFC 333.
“He’s more well-rounded. He’s got a lot more tools, a lot more things he can do. But all these other things that give so many other people problems, they just don’t give me problems. Wrestling, grappling, he’s going to try and when to try and beat me for 25 minutes. I think it’s a pretty hard task, especially for anyone in my division.”
Alexander Volkanovski continued:
“I just don’t think anyone can beat me for 25 minutes. I know that’s his [Evloev’s] usual path to victory. That’s just not happening with me. I truly do believe that. I got a lot of respect for him. I got a lot of respect for his skills, but those skills just aren’t effective for me. They’re effective for everyone else, just not me. I’ll be there all day, bring it on. Take me down. You want to try and take me down? No worries. I’m looking at that as going to be more detrimental to him as the fight goes further.”
Alexander Volkanovski warns Movsar Evloev: “I can put him out before the fifth round”
Alexander Volkanovski is ready to go full 25 minutes with Movsar Evloev but believes he can put the undefeated fighter out before the final frame. He added:
“This is a fight where, you know, I say this all the time, right? We always say I’m going to get the finish, and I’m fighting absolute animals with crazy chins every single time. And again, he knows how to win, and he knows how to stay safe, but I just don’t think it’s going to be enough. I truly do believe I can put him out out it before the fifth round. Even the earlier rounds, but if not, I think, yeah, you’re going to see me really do some good work all the way through the fight if need be.”
Check out Alexander Volkanovski’s comments below:
