A former UFC bantamweight champion recently shared his perspective on the upcoming title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev. Volkanovski, the reigning two-time featherweight champion, is set to defend his belt against the undefeated Evloev at UFC 333 later this month.
Many expect Evloev to finish the Australian champion, but “The Great” believes Volkanovski has the skills to neutralize Evloev’s wrestling, wear him down, and push him into an uncomfortable fight. Aljamain Sterling, who has fought Evloev before, also weighed in with his view on the matchup.
Sterling, known as the “Funk Master,” rates Volkanovski’s striking and stand-up game higher than Evloev’s. He argues that Evloev’s ground-and-pound strikes, though frequent, lack the damage needed to seriously threaten Volkanovski’s dominance. In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Sterling said:
“I think Volk edges this out just because the striking department on the feet… Movsar throws these little shots on the ground, but they’re very little, not very damaging.”
Sterling’s analysis is grounded in Evloev’s fighting history, as the Russian has yet to demonstrate significant finishing power. While he remains undefeated with a 20-0 professional record, Evloev has secured most of his UFC wins by decision and possesses only 3 KO/TKO victories throughout his career. However, he has shown striking improvements this year in his fight against Lerone Murphy and now believes he can earn his first UFC finish against Volkanovski.
Meanwhile, Sterling is preparing to face Kevin Vallejos at UFC Qatar. A victory would mark his third consecutive win and keep him on track toward his goal of achieving two-division champion status before retiring. He expressed confidence in finishing Vallejos and positioning himself for a featherweight title shot against Volkanovski early next year:
“I really think I can finish this kid… early February 2027, Volk might want to be in a position where he’s itching and want to get back.”
Fan Take: This clash represents a pivotal moment in the featherweight division, highlighting the challenge of overcoming a technical striker like Volkanovski. For fans, it’s a must-watch as it could either cement Volkanovski’s legacy or showcase Evloev’s evolution, potentially reshaping the landscape of the sport.
Source: www.lowkickmma.com
