Movsar Evloev Wants First UFC Finish in Featherweight Title Shot Against Volkanovski
Unbeaten Movsar Evloev says he is chasing his first UFC finish when he challenges Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight belt at UFC 333.
Movsar Evloev has done everything right in the UFC except put somebody away. He wants to change that against Alexander Volkanovski.
Evloev will challenge Volkanovski for the featherweight title at UFC 333 on October 24 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Despite an unbeaten UFC record, the Russian contender has never scored a stoppage inside the Octagon.
"This is my first title fight. And we're looking to make it my first finish in the UFC," Evloev told Sherdog.
Evloev has been dominant on the scorecards, grinding through every opponent the UFC has put in front of him. But the lack of finishes has given critics an easy talking point. He wants to silence that noise in Abu Dhabi.
"I don't want to hear this old excuse again, so I want him to be in his prime, in the best condition, so I can show my skills," Evloev said of the 38-year-old Volkanovski.
Volkanovski remains one of the most accomplished featherweights in UFC history, but questions about his age and durability have followed him. Evloev clearly does not want an asterisk next to his name if he takes the belt.
I respect Evloev calling his shot. It is one thing to say you want to finish the champion, it is another to do it against a guy as tough as Volkanovski. Volk has only been stopped once in his career, and that was Islam Makhachev at lightweight.
The reality is Evloev probably wins a decision. His pressure and wrestling are suffocating, and Volkanovski at 38 does not have the same gas tank he had three years ago. But a finish? That would put Evloev in a different tier entirely.
I have Evloev winning this fight. Volkanovski is a legend, but father time is undefeated, and Evloev is the kind of relentless grinder who makes older fighters look their age.
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