Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Alexander Volkanovski believes Russian Movsar Evloev is the full package but still doesn’t think that will be enough to take his UFC featherweight crown.
The 38-year-old Australian is back in the Octagon on Sunday morning (AEDT) as part of championship double-header at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.
Evloev (20-0 MMA) has won 10 in a row in the UFC and earned the title shot with a close decision over England’s Lerone Murphy in London last March.
Volkanovski (28-4 MMA) is attempting to defend the title for the second time since his second title reign began in April 2025, and is unfazed by both the momentum Evloev brings into the fight and the age difference.
“I believe I’ve seen that (wrestling) puzzle before,” the Australian champion said Thursday of 32-year-old Evloev’s style.
“But he’s undefeated – he knows how to win – but I just don’t think that’s enough.
“He’s got all the skills. He can take it anywhere. He’s the most well-rounded (fighter), but I just don’t believe that’s enough for me. I’m gonna go get my hand raised. ‘And still (champion),’ once again.”
Evloev brushed off the 145-pound titleholder’s comments.
“He’s the best featherweight in (UFC) history, and everybody knows that, right?” Evloev said.
“I’m here to check for myself and do all I can to get to this point this Saturday.”
In the co-headliner, a bantamweight title trilogy will be settled when Russia’s champion Petr Yan (20-5 MMA) tries to make it two in a row against former champion Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia, 10 months after their matchup at UFC 323.
Injuries to both fighters kept them from facing each other again until now.
