Alex Volkanovski has vowed Movsar Evloev will “be forced to fight me” as he defends his featherweight title in their blockbuster UFC 333 showdown in October.
The much-anticipated bout between the ageless soon-to-be 38-year old and his Russian rival shapes as a major test of Volk’s staying power, with Evloev, a Master of Sports in Graeco-Roman wrestling, a takedown and ground-and-pound master.
It has secured him 20 out of 20 pro fights, but without a single finish – a fact not ignored by promoters, who has had to wait until now to secure a title fight.
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But at a UFC 333 press conference where the popularity gap between the pair was laid bare with Evloev booed at every question he attempted to answer, Volkanovski was adamant the 32-year old will need to fight on his terms to take the featherweight crown.
“He’s an all-rounder. He hasn’t had to stay on the feet, really,” Volk said.
“He’s been able to control people on the ground.
“We really get to test his striking skills, because I ain’t letting it go to the ground.
“Even if he wants to take it there, I’m keeping it on the feet.
“He’s going to be forced to fight me … he says I’ll take down 10 times, or 20 times, I’ll just keep taking down.
“But trust me: your arms are gonna be burning, I’m gonna be in your face forcing you. You will panic punch, that’s not going to work.
“Then you’re gonna be forced to fight, a fight you don’t wanna do. And that’s just when I’m gonna take over.”
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When asked whether Evloev would be able to physically overmatch the veteran, Volkanosvki was just as defiant.
“I know he’s fit, I know he’s trained to do 25 minutes, but there’s a difference: fighting for 25 minutes with other people, then fighting 25 minutes with me,” he said.
“Trying to take me down, with me in your face? Whole different story.”
Evloev replied: “I hope you believe that.”
The Russian Rocket, who copped a barrage of boos from his introduction on stage to every time he opened his mouth, quickly grew frustrated with UFC fans’ attitude towards him.
“Shut up, you f***ing idiots,” he exclaimed midway through an answer, with a fan seen in the crowd raising two middle fingers.
“I know they like Volk. I do too.
“But October 24th, nobody of them will be happy.”
Throughout, though, Evloev’s respect for Volkanovski was plain to see.
“He’s a legend,” he said.
“I was waiting for this (title fight) all my life. I’m more than ready for this moment.
“Most important fight in my life. I’m going to beat this guy, take the belt, and everybody there will know.”
When asked if defeat could send Volkanovski into retirement, Evloev answered: “If he want, he can. I don’t care.”
And the King of UDs, who told Main Event during the week that he would take Volk down “100 times” if need be, isn’t doubting that he’s capable of turning the fight into a wrestle.
With the Aussie pondering how long Evloev could sustain his tactics for, the Russian interrupted: “Round number 17 – maybe.”
‘He (Volk) doesn’t know how to wrestle’ | 01:48
Volkanovski’s age has been a constant topic of discussion in recent seasons, but the Australian icon is yet to let it slow him down.
He returned at 36 after a 14-month hiatus last year to defeat Diego Lopes and regain his featherweight title, before defending it against the same opponent earlier this year.
The two-time champion, who has a UFC record eight featherweight title fight wins, said Evloev had earned the chance to take him on.
“I’m a pretty easy champion to understand – if you deserve it, you’re the guy,” he said.
“He (Evloev) deserved the title fight, I believed probably for a little while now.
“I’m glad he’s got it. Now we get to do our thing.”
The showdown is set to take place on Sunday, October 25 (AEDT), at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and will be broadcast live and exclusively on Main Event.