Volkanovski Vows Standup War With Evloev at UFC 333

Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight title against Movsar Evloev in the main event of UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi, and the champion says he has no intention of letting the bout turn into a wrestling match.

Volkanovski has called for this matchup for more than a year, and he now gets the top contender he's been chasing. Speaking with Main Event TV, the champion made clear he views Evloev as the best available test in the division outside the man who already beat him.

"Everyone knows how I've always been: I wanna fight the best guys," Volkanovski said. "He's the best guy. He's proved that. He's been the best guy for the last two years."

Why Volkanovski Isn't Worried About Evloev's Wrestling

Evloev's calling card is a smothering grappling base that has kept him unbeaten and near the top of the featherweight rankings, but Volkanovski insists that style won't translate against him. He pointed to his own five-round battle with Islam Makhachev as proof he can survive elite grappling pressure and still find a way to win.

"Could he take me down? Yeah," Volkanovski said. "Can he hold me down? Sorry. No. And I say that with full confidence."

The champion added that Evloev will eventually have to plant his feet and strike, and that's the version of the fight he wants. "He's gonna be put on the feet with me, and Movsar is gonna have to strike with me, and that's gonna end bad for him," Volkanovski said. "I truly do believe that."

What a Title Defense Would Mean for Volkanovski's Legacy

A win over Evloev would give Volkanovski his second successful defense since reclaiming the belt, following a reign in which he defended the title five times before Ilia Topuria dethroned him in 2024. At 38, he's framing this run as uncharted territory for a champion in the lighter weight classes, a division that skews younger and more athletic than almost any other in the UFC.

Betting Angle

Markets have long treated Evloev's takedown volume and cardio as the blueprint to beat Volkanovski, and that read isn't going away just because the champion talks a good fight in interviews. Expect oddsmakers to price this closer than a typical Volkanovski title defense given Evloev's unbeaten record and wrestling-heavy control style, with the number likely to move as fight week approaches and public money reacts to Volkanovski's striking pedigree. Bettors leaning toward the champion are essentially wagering that his takedown defense and clinch work hold up over five rounds the way they did against Makhachev, while anyone backing Evloev is banking on volume and control time grinding out rounds on the scorecards.

Volkanovski has made clear which version of the fight he's preparing for. Whether he can actually keep it there for 25 minutes will decide both the title and a lot of tickets in Abu Dhabi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Alexander Volkanovski fighting at UFC 333?

Alexander Volkanovski is defending his UFC featherweight title against Movsar Evloev in the main event of UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi.

What did Alexander Volkanovski say about fighting Movsar Evloev?

Alexander Volkanovski said he plans to keep the fight standing and force Movsar Evloev to strike with him, predicting that will not go well for the unbeaten contender.

How many times has Alexander Volkanovski defended the UFC featherweight title?

Alexander Volkanovski defended the belt five times before losing it to Ilia Topuria in 2024, and he is now looking for his second defense since reclaiming the title.