Movsar Evloev has never lost and he doesn’t expect that to change if he fights for the UFC featherweight title.

The next challenger for that belt remains to be seen with Alexander Volkanovski reclaiming it with a vintage performance against Diego Lopes at UFC 314. Volkanovski won a vacant belt to become a two-time champion following Ilia Topuria relinquishing the title to move up to lightweight.

Evloev is 9-0 in the UFC and has as good a case for a championship opportunity as anyone. Should he square off with Volkanovski in the near future, he’s confident he will be just the second fighter to defeat the Australian star at 145 pounds.

“I think if I face him, I will just push him to the wall,” Evloev said on the Overdogs Podcast. “So don’t let him run from me, don’t let him move. And then he has to exchange with me, then he will tire. Or I will break him because I know that I have bigger power, better wrestling, and I can control this guy for five rounds or finish on the ground.”

One obstacle standing in the way of Evloev is what seems to be disinterest on the part of the matchmakers. Evloev has impressed inside the octagon with wins over former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, top contender Arnold Allen, and even Lopes, who lost a short-notice debut to Evloev. However, he is yet to finish an opponent since joining the UFC in 2019.

Evloev actually planned to show a more dynamic fighting style against Sterling at UFC 310, but Sterling sought to test his wrestling against Evloev’s resulting in an entertaining grappling battle and a win for Evloev that still might not be enough to earn him a title shot.

“For the last fight with Aljo, I was focused almost 100 percent for striking because UFC only talking about ‘I have no finish, just wrestling style,’ so I was trying to show them I have good striking also,” Evloev said. “But in this fight, I cannot show it because my opponent just take me down and tried to do some jiu-jitsu with me, that’s why it’s not easy to show you striking when you’re just rolling on the floor.”

In fact, Evloev has so much faith in his striking, he guarantees no matter who ends up standing across from him for a title fight, he will focus on keeping the fight standing—and win.

“OK, I can promise them that I’m not going to take down anyone if they give me a title shot,” Evloev said. “I’m not going to go there first. If they try to take me down, OK, I’ll accept this, but I’m not going to go first. I will just go straight striking, so let’s see.”

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TOP STORIES

Great Divide. Who is the GOAT featherweight?

Disagreement. Jon Anik had an awkward moment with a UFC matchmaker while commenting on the UFC 314 main event.

Bamboozled. Matt Brown still isn’t sure how so many fighters ended up in this GFL mess.

Awful. Fighter pulled from UFC Kansas City following disturbing sexual misconduct allegations.

Neat. Maurice Greene has a featured role in a Jordan Peele-produced film.

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VIDEO STEW

Missed WrestleMania? Relive the best moments with the MMA Fighting crew.

MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chops it up with Jon Anik.

PFL ICYMI.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Some happenings at middleweight?

Bantamweight greats.

Think you had a rough weekend?

This is the kind of promotion we welcome.

K, but what upcoming fight?

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Evan Elder (9-2) vs. Gauge Young (9-2); UFC Kansas City, April 26

Gavin Tucker (13-3) vs. Jeong Yeong Lee (11-2); UFC 315, May 10

Vicente Luque (23-10-1) vs. Kevin Holland (27-13, 1 NC); UFC 316, June 7

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Since Damon and Jed just had a spirited debate over who is truly the greatest featherweight of all time, I figured I’d open the floor to y’all.

Vote below!

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EXIT POLL

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