Alexander Volkanovski: Movsar Evloev 'can't beat me for 25 minutes' at UFC 333

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski says unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev is the best fighter in the division after himself, but insists the Russian's usual path to victory will not work against him when they meet in the UFC 333 main event on Saturday, October 24, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) made the comments in a UFC on Paramount+ interview with Megan Olivi, as reported by MMA Junkie on October 12.

'He knows how to win'

Volkanovski acknowledged that Evloev (20-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) has earned his title shot. "He knows how to win," the champion said. "He's undefeated, right?"

Evloev's style has drawn criticism, including from UFC legend Demetrious Johnson, because he rarely finishes fights. According to MMA Junkie, 13 of his 20 professional wins have gone to the judges' scorecards, including all 10 of his UFC victories. His most recent win was a majority decision over Lerone Murphy in March, which secured the No. 1 contender spot.

Volkanovski still says Evloev "is definitely the one who deserves the shot."

'Them skills just aren't effective for me'

The Australian argued that the wrestling-heavy approach that troubles the rest of the 145-pound division is a good stylistic matchup for him.

"I think he's the best outside myself," Volkanovski said. "I think he beats everyone else in the division. But when it comes to matchup stylistically, I believe (he is) one of the better matchups for me. I look at him being a bad matchup for everyone else except for me."

He added that Evloev is "more well rounded" and has "a lot more tools" than many opponents, but said the things that give other fighters problems "just don't give me any problem."

Volkanovski also pointed to the five-round championship distance. "To try and beat me for 25 minutes is a pretty hard task," he said. "I just don't think anyone can beat me for 25 minutes. I know that's his usual path to victory. It's just not happening with me. I've got a lot of respect for him, I've got a lot of respect for his skills, but them skills just aren't effective for me. They're effective for everyone else, just not me."

In an August interview with Fox Sports Australia, also reported by MMA Junkie, Volkanovski promised to keep the fight on the feet, saying Evloev "ain't holding me down."

UFC 333 card

Oddsmakers see the fight as close. UFC.com lists Evloev as a slight -115 favorite, with Volkanovski at -105.

The UFC 333 main card also features a bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, a heavyweight bout between Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev, Lone'er Kavanagh vs Ramazan Temirov at flyweight, and Aaron Pico vs Losene Keita at featherweight. The prelims include Azamat Murzakanov vs Dominick Reyes and Nikita Krylov vs Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev.

According to UFC.com, the prelims start at 12 p.m. ET and the main card at 2 p.m. ET on October 24.