Movsar Evloev went into UFC 333 unbeaten and with a fearsome reputation as one of the featherweight division’s toughest puzzles.
He has emerged from it on the receiving end of some brutal criticism.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
Paddy Pimblett has accused the Russian juggernaut of quitting during his second-round stoppage loss to Alex Volkanovski, arguing Evloev should have done more to keep the fight alive in the closing seconds of the round.
Meanwhile, featherweight legend Jose Aldo revealed before the fight that, if he were running the UFC, he would have waited for Evloev to lose and then cut him from the promotion entirely.
The spray comes after Volk produced a stunning performance in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning, stopping Evloev to retain his featherweight title.
Evloev had won all 10 of his UFC fights before facing the Aussie, with each of those victories coming by decision.
The Russian’s record had made him a feared contender, but the lack of finishes had left some fans wanting a bit more.
Pimblett, watching the fight for a reaction video on his YouTube channel, was delighted to see Volk get the job done.
“Some big shots there. Is it over? It’s over. Boom, Volk, man, gets the finish,” Pimblett said.
But the UFC lightweight champion was less impressed with the way Evloev responded as the Australian unleashed the finishing blows.
“Evloev quit there, for me. Just rolled over,” he said.
“When there’s five seconds left, lad, you’ve just got to keep moving so the fight stays on. I mean, you can’t start just covering up.”
Pimblett added that he had correctly picked both Volk and bantamweight champion Petr Yan to retain their belts at UFC 333.
“Two ‘and stills’. I said Volk and Yan to win, so I’m happy there,” he said.
“My predictions aren’t normally always right, but they were spot on tonight.”
Evloev himself was gracious in defeat, describing Volkanovski as a “legend” and saying he was glad to have shared the cage with him.
“It’s better to lose to a guy like him,” the Russian said after the fight.
Pico pays tribute to ‘inspiration’ Volk | 03:12
‘I’d cut him’: UFC great’s brutal call
Before UFC 333, Aldo had made it clear he would be cheering for Volkanovski, the man who beat him in 2019 on his way to becoming featherweight champion.
But the Brazilian legend also had a blunt message about the challenger.
Speaking to MMA Fighting before the bout, ‘The King of Rio’ said Evloev was “not a guy who really interests me” and argued that winning fights was only part of the equation when it came to building a successful UFC event.
“The UFC isn’t just an organisation that has to follow a ranking system,” Aldo said.
“It’s a business, it’s entertainment. It’s not a matter of, ‘I’m number one, so I have to fight for the title.’ No.
“Evloev is ranked No. 1 in the division, if I’m not mistaken, and if I were the president, I’d never put him in there.
“He could beat everybody. I’d wait for him to lose for the first time and then cut him because he’s a guy who doesn’t sell, a guy who puts on boring fights, a guy who doesn’t draw attention, who just stays inactive.
“So why would I give him that opportunity? I want to sell out my arena. I want my event to grow. There’s a lot involved.”
Aldo pointed to Brazilian heavyweight Alex Pereira as an example of a fighter whose ability to produce spectacular knockouts made him a major attraction.
“There are so many things you have to consider,” Aldo said.
“It’s not just a matter of, ‘F**k, I beat everybody.’ You beat everybody by laying and praying, drawing no attention, and nobody talks about anything.”
MORE UFC NEWS:
‘Prime Volk’: Coach’s stunning call as bold game plan, illness battle revealed after epic title triumph
Inside Volk’s whirlwind 24hr party — and the ‘legal’ but questionable UFC medical offer he refused
Is Alexander Volkanovski among Australia’s greatest ever athletes? The debate has gone global
Volk eyes off Gaethje superfight | 00:47
The former champ also took issue with previous comments from Evloev about Aldo and other former champions, in which the Russian suggested they had declined massively after doping tests were introduced.
Aldo said he had been tested regularly throughout his career and that nothing had ever come up.
Aldo insisted he wasn’t backing Volk just because of what Evloev had said.
“I have a special affection for him,” he said of the Aussie.
“I’m rooting for him. I hope he can win the fight, come out of it healthy, and get the victory.
“I have absolutely no problem with him surpassing me or tying my record.”