Volkanovski predicts 'wild' finish of unbeaten Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi

Alexander Volkanovski is targeting a spectacular stoppage when he defends the UFC featherweight title against undefeated Movsar Evloev (20-0) at UFC 333 on 24 October at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Evloev has won all 10 of his UFC bouts by decision, but Volkanovski (28-4) is dismissive of the idea that the Russian challenger can grind out a similar result against him. “The Great” believes Evloev’s only realistic path to victory is landing a decisive strike — and he does not expect that to happen.

“Trying to outgrapple me for 25 minutes, I can’t see it,” Volkanovski told MMA Junkie. “I believe that the only chance that any of these guys have is for them to catch me. If he thinks he can beat me by decision or he thinks he can outgrapple me, I’m sure he’s gonna try, we’ll see. I’m just very confident in my skills and the fighter I still am. I think I can do it in pretty wild fashion. I believe I can get a finish. I believe I can do it inside five. A lot of people are going to go say after this fight, ‘Is that the best Volk we’ve ever seen?’”

Volkanovski first captured the featherweight championship against Max Holloway in 2019 and defended it five times before losing the belt to Ilia Topuria in 2024. He reclaimed the vacant title against Diego Lopes after Topuria moved up to lightweight, and then successfully defended it in a rematch against Lopes in January.

Now into his second reign, Volkanovski faces his stiffest test in Evloev, whose unblemished record and methodical decision-winning style have made him one of the division’s most consistent performers. Whether the champion’s confidence translates into the finish he is predicting will be answered when the pair meet in the UAE capital in October.