Movsar Evloev OK with Alexander Volkanovski’s 5-round confidence at UFC 333
Photo by Mats Sommervold on Unsplash
Movsar Evloev is heading to UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi with a perfect 20‑0 record, ready to face two‑time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. The Russian‑born fighter, who has never lost in the UFC, has won all ten of his bouts by decision, including a recent majority decision over Lerone Murphy. Evloev’s camp believes Volkanovski’s confidence that the longer the fight goes, the better it will be for him may be a miscalculation.
“Volkanovski thinks the advantage is in the later rounds,” Evloev told MMA Junkie. “I’m a decision machine, so I’m happy to stay in the fight past 15 minutes.” He noted that Volkanovski’s recent back‑to‑back Fight of the Night decisions against Diego Lopes have bolstered the champion’s belief that endurance will pay off.
Evloev’s path to the title mirror’s Volkanovski’s own journey, with both fighters earning Fight of the Night bonuses over Lopes and Evloev having previously defeated former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. After a 15‑month layoff, Evloev’s win over Murphy in London proved he can still perform at a high level.
When asked about what might happen if he loses, Evloev said he doesn’t worry about a rematch. “I think Volkanovski will still get a fight if he wants it, even if he loses to me,” he said. “He can still aim for Justin Gaethje, but that would be a champion‑vs‑champ scenario.”
The bout is a pick‑em at the betting window, but Volkanovski’s confidence that the fight will favor him in the later rounds remains unchallenged until the Oct. 20 bell. The world will see whether Evloev’s decision‑making prowess can counter the champion’s endurance strategy.
Source: Movsar Evloev OK with Alexander Volkanovski’s 5-round confidence at UFC 333
