Volkanovski, Evloev Recall Training Together Pre-UFC 333

Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev trained together years before their UFC 333 featherweight title fight was ever a possibility, both fighters confirmed during fight week in Los Angeles.

The two crossed paths at the same gym long before either man held UFC gold. Evloev was still competing as a bantamweight at the time, fresh off a run as M-1 champion, while Volkanovski was climbing the featherweight ranks. Evloev pinpointed the timeline precisely, noting Volkanovski's career stage back then: "He had just fought with [Chad] Mendes and he was about to fight with [Jose] Aldo."

What Volkanovski Remembers About Training With Evloev

Volkanovski confirmed the sessions happened but waved off any notion they offer real insight into how the Oct. 24 title fight plays out. "You can't go off training sessions then," Volkanovski said, adding that Evloev "would have been young" at the time. He said there is mutual respect between the two, noting he knows people in Evloev's circle and holds "no ill feeling" toward him, but made his intentions plain for Abu Dhabi: "come Oct. 24, we're going to go handle business and I plan on showing him that I'm the man."

Evloev Wants Volkanovski At His Best

Evloev, unbeaten at 20-0 and fresh off a majority decision over Lerone Murphy in March, says he wants no asterisks when he wins. He explained that his past knockouts of champions were often dismissed as those opponents having faded, and he doesn't want that narrative repeated: "I don't want to hear this one again, so I want him to be in his prime, in the best condition, so I can show my skills." Volkanovski, who turns 38 soon and is coming off back-to-back title defenses against Diego Lopes following his loss to Ilia Topuria, responded in kind, promising his sharpest showing yet stylistically for this matchup.

Betting Angle

The market has this one as close as the pre-fight buildup suggests. Sportsbooks have Volkanovski installed as only a slight favorite over Evloev, with some books essentially pricing it as a coin flip. That lines up with the competitive picture: Volkanovski is widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweights ever, but Evloev arrives undefeated with a suffocating grappling style that has given every opponent problems. Bettors weighing this fight should expect the line to move only modestly between now and fight night unless fresh news breaks, given how evenly matched the styles and resumes are on paper.

Alexander Volkanovski defends his UFC featherweight title against Movsar Evloev in the UFC 333 main event on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev train together before?

Yes, Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev trained at the same gym years before their UFC 333 title fight, when Evloev was still a bantamweight and Volkanovski was rising in the featherweight division.

When is Volkanovski vs. Evloev at UFC 333?

Alexander Volkanovski defends his UFC featherweight title against Movsar Evloev on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi in the UFC 333 main event.

Who is favored in Volkanovski vs. Evloev?

Sportsbooks have listed Alexander Volkanovski as only a slight favorite over the undefeated Movsar Evloev, with several books treating the UFC 333 title fight as close to a pick'em.