Sports · Combat Sports · 46 mins ago
Movsar Evloev challenges Alexander Volkanovski for UFC featherweight title
Movsar Evloev challenges Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 333 on Oct.
24 in Abu Dhabi.
Evloev is an undefeated Russian fighter with a 20-0 record, while Australia's Volkanovski is a two-time champion defending his title.
Evloev has waited years for a title opportunity, even as other fighters moved ahead of him in the contender line.
Volkanovski says he can beat Evloev by finishing him, and predicts he could deliver one of the best performances of his career.
Evloev has won all 10 of his UFC fights by decision, and Volkanovski doubts he can control him with wrestling for all five rounds.
The fight could decide the division's champion and shape the next stage of Volkanovski's career.
The bout is scheduled for UFC 333 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Movsar Evloev challenges Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on October 24.
Evloev is unbeaten at 20-0 and is competing for his first UFC title.
Volkanovski, the reigning champion, is seeking to defend the belt after beating Diego Lopes in January.
Volkanovski says he can finish Evloev, while Evloev says he is ready to win the belt.
Former champion Jose Aldo has criticized Evloev’s style, calling his fights boring and saying he would cut him if he were UFC president.
- Who
- Movsar Evloev challenges champion Alexander Volkanovski.
- What
- They fight for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 333.
- When
- October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- Evloev earned his first title shot after an unbeaten run; Volkanovski is defending his championship.
Movsar Evloev
Alexander Volkanovski
Fight outcome
Movsar Evloev
Evloev says he is there to win the belt and stay as champion.
Alexander Volkanovski
Volkanovski believes he can beat Evloev and deliver a career-best performance.
Route to victory
Movsar Evloev
Evloev has built his record with wrestling and decision wins.
Alexander Volkanovski
Volkanovski says Evloev will need a decisive strike to beat him and doubts he can outgrapple him for 25 minutes.
Evloev returned from an injury layoff that had kept him out of the cage for 15 months.
Evloev earned his title shot by outpointing Lerone Murphy at UFC London.
Volkanovski beat Diego Lopes to retain the featherweight title.
Volkanovski is scheduled to defend the title against Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.
- Fight
- UFC 333 featherweight title bout
- Date
- October 24, 2026
- Venue
- Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
- Evloev record
- 20-0
- Volkanovski record
- 28-4
- Evloev’s UFC wins
- 10, all by decision
4 sources
Jose Aldo implores the UFC to cut Movsar Evloev if he loses at UFC 333: ‘A guy who puts on boring fights’
UFC 333: Movsar Evloev ready to fulfill destiny as champion after years of waiting for his chance
Alexander Volkanovski addresses sparring sessions with Movsar Evloev before UFC 333 title clash
Alexander Volkanovski predicts 'wild' finish of 20-0 Movsar Evloev
What people are saying
I’d wait for him to lose for the first time and then cut him because he’s a guy that doesn’t sell, a guy who puts on boring fights, a guy who doesn’t draw attention, he just stays active
When I signed with the UFC, I already knew I needed to fight for the title, and I'd do anything to get there.
I think I can do it in pretty wild fashion. I believe I can get a finish.
I think he should’ve got a title shot before this weekend. He deserved it maybe a year or two ago to be honest, so yeah, glad he gets his shot. He deserves it.
Posts on X
Alexander Volkanovski forecasts a spectacular finish of Movsar Evloev at #UFC333. "I think I can do it in pretty wild fashion. ... A lot of people are going to go say after this fight, 'Is that the best Volk we've ever seen?'" (via @Farah_Hannoun)