Alexander Volkanovski has predicted he will finish unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev “in pretty wild fashion” when he defends his UFC featherweight title at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
The 38-year-old Australian doubled down on his claim that Evloev can’t outwork him over 25 minutes, telling MMA Junkie at a fan event in Abu Dhabi on Sunday that he expects to win inside the distance. Evloev (20-0) has won all 10 of his UFC fights on the scorecards, but he believes his first UFC finish could come in his first title fight.
“I’m very confident in my skills and the fighter I still am. I think I get my hand raised, and I think I can do it in pretty wild fashion. I believe I can get a finish. I think I can do it inside the five,” Volkanovski said.
“He’s saying maybe he wants to win the decision. I’m saying I’ll finish him inside the five rounds for sure.”
The champion (28-4) went further, tipping UFC 333 to be one of the best nights of his career. “A lot of people are going to go say after this fight, ‘Is that the best Volk we’ve ever seen?’ I truly do believe that, I think just purely for the performance I’m going to bring,” he said.
‘Trying to out grapple me for 25 minutes, I can’t see it’
Read more: UFC: Volkanovski vs Evloev at UFC 333, Card and Aussie Start Time
Volkanovski said his comments about Evloev’s wrestling weren’t meant as a slight on the Russian, who has landed 52 takedowns across his 10 octagon appearances, according to MMA Junkie.
“I want him to bring his best game,” Volkanovski said. “However he thinks he can win, come and do it. And what I mean by that is no disrespect to him. Where he’s so strong, and where he’s been so effective with everyone else and where he’s so good, I just believe that’s not where he can beat me. Trying to out grapple me for 25 minutes, I can’t see it.”
He also pushed back on the idea that Evloev is a one-dimensional fighter. “A lot of people act like he can’t strike,” Volkanovski said. “Of course he can strike.” He added: “But I think I’m the better striker. I’ve proved it time and time again. I know where he wants to take it, and I’m not going to let him take it there.”
Evloev eyes his first UFC finish
Evloev’s past four wins have come against Lerone Murphy, Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen and Diego Lopes, but none of his UFC victories has ended inside the distance. He told MMA Fighting that could change on Saturday.
“Now, maybe my first finish in my first title fight, why not? I have everything to do that,” Evloev said.
The 32-year-old made it clear he won’t abandon the wrestling-heavy approach that has carried him to a title shot. “Even if I knock him out, not because my wrestling doesn’t work, but because it works very good, so I will make him tired,” he said. “Then, when I feel, OK we can knock him out, then I will try and knock him out. But he’s saying he will take my confidence. Nobody can.”
No retirement plans, but no illusions
Volkanovski is the oldest of the UFC’s current champions and has previously said he would likely retire if things go “horribly wrong” at UFC 333, MMA Junkie noted. He doesn’t expect that to happen, but he isn’t pretending he has a long run left in him either.
“There’s no plans to retire, but we’re not going to be silly and act delusional like I’ve got another 10 fights left in me,” Volkanovski said. “I just don’t. I don’t want to be here for another 10 fights. Maybe a few more, though. Maybe a couple. We’ll see.”
UFC 333 is at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Saturday 24 October local time, with the main card running early on Sunday morning in Australia. Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili meet for the bantamweight title in the co-main event, and fellow Australians Cam Rowston, Jacob Malkoun and Colby Thicknesse are also listed on the card on UFC.com.
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