TLDR
- Movsar Evloev has won all 10 UFC fights by decision with zero finishes but earned a title shot at UFC 333
- Evloev argues that knowledgeable MMA fans appreciate wrestling and technical skills, not just knockouts
- His title challenge comes as UFC has released fighters like Farid Basharat despite winning records
- Evloev says UFC 333 against Volkanovski could be the perfect time for his first UFC finish
- The undefeated Russian is 20-0 overall with recent wins over Sterling, Allen, Lopes, and Murphy
Sources: sherdog.com | mmafighting.com
Movsar Evloev has won all 10 of his UFC fights by decision, but he doesn’t believe finishes are the only way to entertain fans. The undefeated Russian featherweight will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC title at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Evloev holds a perfect 20-0 professional record but has never scored a knockout or submission inside the UFC octagon. Despite this, he argues that fans who understand mixed martial arts appreciate the technical aspects of fighting, including wrestling.
“I have zero finishes in UFC, but I’m still in the UFC and I’m fighting for the title,” Evloev told MMA Fighting. “That means only finishes are not important.”
Movsar Evloev responds to Alexander Volkanovski saying a knockout is his only path to victory and promises to prove him wrong.
“Alex said the only way I can win is to knock him out, but we're going to prove that he's wrong. We do homework, and we're ready for anything.”
Via… pic.twitter.com/qSHtj8MGwK
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 18, 2026
The 30-year-old believes there are different types of MMA fans. Some want blood and violence, but others appreciate skill and tactics.
“There are so many good fans who know MMA, and they understand, and maybe because of them I’m still in the UFC,” Evloev said.
Recent UFC Departures Spark Debate
Evloev’s comments come as the UFC has released several fighters despite winning records. Michael Page and Farid Basharat recently departed the promotion, with Basharat leaving while undefeated at 16-0. The exact reasons for their releases have not been confirmed.
These departures have raised questions about whether winning alone is enough to keep a UFC contract. However, Evloev’s title shot suggests that consistent victories still matter to the promotion.
“To show a good fight is also important,” Evloev said. “Even if you have no finishes, you can show good fight, exciting fight. You can show the beauty of wrestling.”
Evloev has earned his title shot through victories over top-ranked opponents. His last four wins came against Lerone Murphy, Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Diego Lopes.
Lopes went on to fight Volkanovski twice for the title before Evloev received his opportunity.
First Finish Could Come at UFC 333
Evloev acknowledges that fans want to see him score a finish. He says UFC 333 could be the perfect time to deliver his first stoppage win in the promotion.
“Maybe my first finish in my first title fight, why not?” Evloev said. “I have everything to do that.”
The Russian fighter explained that his tough opponents have made finishes difficult. He believes simply defeating high-level fighters is already an accomplishment.
“Now, I feel like I’m getting better and I’ve got more abilities to finish the fights and we were working on that since I won my last fight,” Evloev said.
Volkanovski has suggested that Evloev’s wrestling won’t be enough to beat him. The champion believes the challenger will eventually need to engage in striking exchanges.
Evloev isn’t worried about the champion’s predictions. He plans to stick with the tactics that have brought him success throughout his career.
“Even if I knock him out, not because my wrestling doesn’t work, but because it works very good, so I will make him tired,” Evloev said. “Then, when I feel, OK we can knock him out, then I will try and knock him out.”
Evloev says his priority is bringing the championship belt back to his republic and country. He views this responsibility as more important than proving anything to critics or taking unnecessary risks.
The featherweight contender has been plagued by periods of inactivity throughout his UFC career. Despite the gaps between fights, he has delivered victories each time he steps into the octagon.
Evloev made his UFC debut in 2019 and has steadily climbed the featherweight rankings. UFC 333 takes place this Saturday in Abu Dhabi, where Evloev will attempt to capture UFC gold in his 11th promotional appearance.
