Volkanovski Sympathizes With Evloev Over Lost Chance at Featherweight Gold

Alexander Volkanovski sympathizes with Movsar Evloev for not getting his title opportunity. 

Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) looked a dead cert to be next in line to face Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) after the Australian veteran beat Diego Lopes (27-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC 314 last April to reclaim the belt he had previously lost to Ilia Topuria.

The unbeaten Evloev was matched to face Aaron Pico in July, but when he pulled out of that fight due to injury, his hopes of being the first opponent of Volkanovski’s second title reign went up in smoke.

“I called for Movsar straight after the fight,” Volkanovski told Sporting News Australia. “Then I knew he was going to be fighting. (He) pulled out. I knew he was going to maybe postpone (the fight) and then he didn't take it. I'm like, ‘well, there goes your opportunity.’ So it wasn't long before I knew that that wouldn't happen.” 

Another unbeaten contender in the division, Lerone Murphy (17-0-1 MMA, 9-0-1 UFC) stepped up to face former Bellator standout Pico, delivering a memorable spinning elbow knockout finish at UFC 319 in August. For Evloev, that sequence of events represents a massive missed opportunity.

“I feel for him in a sense where I know he definitely deserved it,” Volkanovski said. “That's why I called for him. But I totally understand how this game works. You can't be that guy. You've got to be the guy that's willing to fight anyone, anywhere, put your hand up. Lerone (Murphy) did do that.”

After the win over Pico, Murphy looked to have leapfrogged Evloev in the pecking order at 145 pounds, only for Dana White to announce recently that Volkanovski will rematch Diego Lopes in the main event when the UFC returns to Sydney, Australia on January 31. The news came as a surprise to man fans, and even to the champion himself.

“Lerone Murphy fought a guy at short notice in Pico, and got a massive finish, so I thought it was going to be him in December,” the Australian said. “Then I knew the UFC were waiting for Jean Silva and Diego (at UFC Paris in September). So I was like, 'Oh, maybe it's going to be one of these guys. Let's see what happens. Let's see if this is going to be a fun fight.’ And it was. And that's where they went with it. It doesn't matter.

“We'll see what happens, whether Movsar and Lerone fight somebody or each other. Prove themselves, and then I'll fight them straight after. So don't worry, they won't miss the opportunity. If they back themselves, take on another fight, then, or wait, whatever, but I mean, I don't think waiting is a good idea. As I said, take your opportunities just like Lopes did, and then this is where you'll be.”