Masvidal would 'bet the house' on Evloev against Volkanovski at UFC 333
Movsar Evloev's American Top Team teammate Jorge Masvidal says the unbeaten challenger will wear the champion down in Abu Dhabi.
Jorge Masvidal has picked a side for UFC 333. The former UFC welterweight contender, who trains with Movsar Evloev at American Top Team, said on the Deep Waters podcast that he is backing the challenger to take Alexander Volkanovski's featherweight title on 24 October, Heavy reported, citing MMA Junkie's coverage.
"I'm going to bet the house on him," Masvidal said. He pointed to how much Evloev has improved in his wrestling, striking and clinch work, and said the 20-0 fighter is hard to read.
His case rests on pressure. Masvidal described Evloev as so sticky that opponents struggle even after getting back to their feet, and said his strength does not drop late in fights. "It does not fade," he said, predicting that Volkanovski will have a dogfight on his hands.
Age is part of his argument. Volkanovski is 38 and Evloev is 32, and Masvidal expects repeated takedowns to wear on the older man over five rounds. He also said the betting odds, close to even, look like good value for an unbeaten fighter who is still improving.
Volkanovski sees it differently. He has called Evloev the best featherweight after himself but says he does not believe anyone can beat him over 25 minutes, and he has predicted a stoppage. The two headline UFC 333 at Etihad Arena on Saturday 24 October, with Petr Yan against Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title in the co-main event.
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. EvloevSat 24 Oct · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: Heavy, LowKickMMA
