Movsar Evloev is eager for clarity in the featherweight division, particularly concerning Ilia Topuria‘s potential move to lightweight, as he aims for a title shot and is willing to follow Topuria across divisions to prove himself.
Movsar Evloev is eager to unravel the mysteries of the featherweight division. He craves clarity for his next fight.
After a thrilling bout with Aljamain Sterling in December, which marked his ninth consecutive UFC victory, Evloev faces an uncertain path. His dream of becoming champion by 2025 seems hazy.
Ilia Topuria, the reigning featherweight king, has hinted at moving to lightweight. Yet, he’s adamant about holding onto his title. Meanwhile, whispers of a rematch with former champ Alexander Volkanovski swirl.
Evloev isn’t clamoring for a title shot just yet. His primary wish? To see the division regain momentum.
“To be honest, it’s not easy to even understand what’s going on,” Evloev confessed to MMA Fighting. Max Holloway‘s exit from featherweight adds to the confusion. Topuria’s potential move up complicates things further.
Yet, Evloev remains unfazed by who stands across the octagon from him next. His ultimate goal? The championship belt. But Topuria is the opponent he truly desires.
He’s prepared to pursue Topuria through different weight classes if necessary. “Even if the champion moves up, he will leave the title,” Evloev declared.
Lightweight doesn’t seem too daunting for him. First, he plans to capture the featherweight belt and then follow Topuria wherever he goes—even middleweight if needed.
Make no mistake, Evloev acknowledges Topuria as a formidable adversary. He respects him, especially after victories over Volkanovski and Holloway.
However, Evloev believes he’s capable of defeating Topuria. “He’s a great fighter but not unbeatable,” Evloev stated confidently.
While taking Topuria’s undefeated record would be sweet, proving his superiority is what truly drives Evloev. Even if Topuria suffers a loss at lightweight, Evloev still wants that fight.
For now, he’s realistic about his chances of securing this matchup soon. He’s exploring other options as well.
Ideally, he’d like to fight before March when Ramadan begins. But he’s patient enough to wait for the right opportunity from the UFC.
“I’m still in shape. I still eat good. I still train every day,” Evloev said. He’s not going anywhere—just waiting for his moment.
Patience is key for him. If the UFC thinks he’ll tire of waiting and seek opportunities elsewhere, they’re mistaken. He’ll wait until they have no choice but to give him a title shot.