3 goes down at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Area on October 24, with Alexander Volkanovski placing his featherweight title on the road towards undefeated contender Movsar Evloev. The Australian is ready for his second title protection since regaining the 145-pound crown with a victory over Diego Lopes at UFC 314 in April.
It wasn’t way back that questions have been swirling about Volkanovski’s future within the sport. His devastating knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 had many questioning whether or not the previous champion’s time on the prime was coming to an finish. Nonetheless, the 37-year-old has answered these doubts with back-to-back assertion 5, displaying that he’s removed from completed.
Following his win over Lopes, Volkanovski made it clear that he wished to check himself towards the division’s rising stars, naming Lerone Murphy and Evloev as potential opponents. With the Russian now standing throughout from him at UFC 333, the champion has one other main problem forward.
However Volkanovski isn’t Evloev as the top of the street. If he will get previous the undefeated contender in Abu Dhabi, a number of different featherweights will likely be desirous to get their shot on the reigning champion.
Alexander Volkanovski Names Jean Silva, Aljamain Sterling, and Kevin Vallejos as High Title Contenders
Alexander Volkanovski just lately expressed frustration with followers always mentioning his retirement, making it clear that he has no plans to hold up his gloves anytime quickly. The reigning featherweight champion continues to be trying forward, and along with his UFC 333 title protection towards Movsar Evloev approaching, he’s already serious about who may very well be subsequent if he will get previous the undefeated contender.
In an e, Volkanovski named just a few featherweights who’ve caught his consideration, together with Jean Silva, Aljamain Sterling, and rising contender Kevin Vallejos.
“After Movsar, you’ve obtained your Jean Silvas, you’ve obtained your Aljamain (Sterlings), who’re each just about in the very same place.”
He added, “They’re those who stand out essentially the most proper now. … That’s one other one – (Kevin Vallejos) there. So whether or not Kevin can get a title combat that fast and soar the road, I don’t know.”
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Whereas Volkanovski has s may change into a major problem within the division, he nonetheless sees Silva and Sterling because the extra speedy threats to his title. Nonetheless, the image may change into clearer quickly, with Vallejos and Sterling scheduled to face one another at UFC Qatar subsequent month.
Volkanovski additionally believes the matchup will likely be a significant check for the younger Argentine. Whereas Vallejos has seemed spectacular to date, the champion needs to see how he handles an skilled opponent who is aware of the way to make changes contained in the Octagon.
“On the similar time, Aljamain and Silva, they’re in all probability closest. However Kevin, he’s undoubtedly somebody – it is a check for him. You see a whole lot of guys who look good till they combat a veteran with combat IQ that’s calculated. Kevin goes to have a troublesome one right here, but when he proves himself, he’s going to point out that he deserves to be on the prime.”
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All three contenders have constructed sturdy instances for themselves. Vallejos is 4-0 within the UFC and just lately scored a brutal knockout victory over Josh Emmett. Silva can also be coming off a submission win over Jose Delgado in the primary occasion of Noche UFC. Sterling, in the meantime, has gained two straight fights towards Brian Ortega and Yousef Zalal.
With Volkanovski set to face Evloev at UFC 333, the champion has loads of potential challengers ready within the wings.
