Ex-UFC featherweight kingpin Max Holloway is eager to watch the headlining bout of UFC 333.
Alexander Volkanovski is scheduled to put his featherweight belt on the line against Evloev in the main event. It stands as a fascinating fight, with oddsmakers rating it a dead heat; however, Holloway—who has locked horns with Volkanovski three times—feels the champion is being written off too quickly and possesses the skills to neutralize Evloev’s grappling game.
“With Volkanovski staying true to form, I view this as a favorable fight for him, provided his chief concern remains avoiding significant damage,” Holloway stated during a video on his YouTube channel. “Absorbing heavy damage has been his biggest issue lately. I hold Evloev in high regard, yet I am amazed by how much focus everyone places on Movsar’s wrestling capabilities.
“I recognize he competed against Islam twice, and it seems like everyone only remembers the rematch while acting as if the first encounter never occurred. Alexander Volkanovski went toe-to-toe in wrestling against one of the finest 155-pound grapplers in the world. I acknowledge Movsar is a force at 20-0, but Alex Volkanovski is simply a completely different beast. I genuinely think the public is underestimating Alex Volkanovski.”
‘Favorable pairing for Volk’
Despite Movsar Evloev maintaining an undefeated record, Max Holloway is convinced Alexander Volkanovski has what it takes to hand him his first loss.
Holloway anticipates Volkanovski will keep the action on the feet, relying on superior output and sharper striking technique to earn a decision victory in a fight he predicts will thoroughly entertain the fans.
“I feel this is an outstanding matchup for Volk. I see him controlling the distance and connecting consistently over the course of 25 minutes. He gets his hand raised on the scorecards. I’m backing Volk to win a decision here. I believe everyone will see it unfold. People need to give a bit more credit to Volkanovski’s name. It’s going to be a phenomenal fight,” Holloway concluded.
A victory at UFC 333 would push Volkanovski’s professional record to 29-4 while setting a new high watermark for the highest number of UFC featherweight title bout victories at nine.
Are you picking Alexander Volkanovski to defeat Movsar Evloev at UFC 333?
This piece was originally published on BJPENN.COM
