+34
UFC Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski and unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev reveal they shared gym rounds years ago, but both fighters emphasize that past training experience is irrelevant as they prepare for their upcoming bout for the vacant UFC Women's flyweight title at UFC 332.
The Aussie champ and his unbeaten challenger have revealed they shared a few rounds in the gym many years ago, when Volk was closing in on his first UFC title shot and Evloev had yet to make his UFC debut.
UFC 332: Silva v Wang | SUN 5 OCTOBER 11AM AEDT | UFC 332 heads to Salt Lake City where Natalia Silva will go head to head against Wang Cong for the vacant UFC Women’s flyweight title. |Evloev remembers the timing clearly. Volk had just beaten Chad Mendes and was preparing to face Jose Aldo. Evloev was still fighting at bantamweight.
And Volk, for one, reckons anyone trying to pick a winner on the strength of a few old gym rounds is wasting their time.
“You can’t go off training sessions then. As he said, he would have been young. All I worry about is how he’s been looking in his last few performances. ”A lot has changed for both men since then.
Volk went on to beat Aldo and become arguably the greatest UFC featherweight of all time. He is now in his second reign as champ, having reclaimed the belt against Diego Lopes before beating him again in their rematch. His latest win, a decision over Lerone Murphy in March, kept him unbeaten and set up the biggest opportunity of his career. Volk likes Evloev.
He just plans to beat him up.
“There’s no ill feeling toward each other, he’s a good dude, I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” Volkanovski said. Every KO & Submission From UFC 331 | 03:55“I want him to be in his prime, in the best condition, so I can show my skills,” Evloev said. Volk reckons Evloev may get exactly what he’s asking for. The champion believes this match-up could produce one of the best performances of his career.
“I truly do believe after this fight, people will be saying, ‘That’s one of Alex’s best performances we’ve seen,’” he said. “Does that mean I’m in my prime? Does that mean this is the best Volk that there ever was? No, I’m not saying that, but I’m saying stylistically in the fight I’m going to bring, I truly believe people will be saying that this is the best version of Alex they’ve ever seen.
”“I will do anything I want,” Evloev told MMA journalist Mike Bohn. Meanwhile, Aussie fight fans have another date for the diary. The UFC has announced it will return to Sydney for a Fight Night at Afterpay Arena, on Sunday, February 7, 2027. It will be Sydney’s first UFC Fight Night since 2017.
The venue hosted Volk’s win over Diego Lopes at UFC 325 earlier this year, but the UFC has yet to announce any bouts for its return. Ticket details will also come later. And once Volk and Evloev have settled their own argument in Abu Dhabi, the Russian already has an idea for what the pair could do together.
He wants to visit the Aussie for an episode of Cooking with Volk -- although he sounds keener on the meal than helping prepare it.
UFC 332 Alex Volkanovski Movsar Evloev MMA UFC Featherweight Championship
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UFC Fighter Raoni Barcelos Collapses During Fight, Hospitalized but ConsciousRaoni Barcelos was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital after collapsing in the Octagon during UFC 332, though reports confirm he is conscious, able to speak, and undergoing medical scans with no major injuries detected.
Read more »
Six writers share apologies they wish they had made to teachers and foster mothersSix writers, including Olivia Petter, Derek Owusu and Annie Lord, reflect on past bad behaviour and the apologies they never delivered, from tormenting a year 6 teacher to questioning a foster mother's motives.
Read more »
Sam Goodman Makes Weight for IBF Title Fight in TokyoWollongong boxer Sam Goodman has made weight for his interim IBF super bantamweight world title bout against Ryosuke Nishida in Japan, receiving an inspirational pep talk from legend Jeff Fenech. This opportunity follows a series of setbacks and a previous defeat, marking a pivotal moment in Goodman's quest for a world championship.
Read more »
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Launch as Photographers Share Holiday Photo TipsApple's new iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and foldable Duo arrive with 48-megapixel cameras and travel-friendly features, while photographers share simple tips for better holiday photos on any phone.
Read more »