Petr Yan Predicts Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev Result Ahead of UFC 333 Title Fight

The betting odds of Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev are very close. As such, Petr Yan thinks it is a 55/45 bout.

Petr Yan Predicts Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev Result Ahead of UFC 333 Title Fight

Petr Yan predicts Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev (Image via UFC.com/MMA Mania)

UFC 333 later this month will feature two title fights as the headlining attractions. In the co-main event, Petr Yan faces off against Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy bout to settle their rivalry. Meanwhile, Alexander Volkanovski faces undefeated star Movsar Evloev in the main event.

Volk and Yan are old training partners. Multiple sparring clips of the duo are available on the internet. Moreover, Volk and Yan has huge respect for each other. Ahead of UFC 333, the bantamweight champion discussed how the main event would unfold.

Initially, Volkanovksi was a +160 betting underdog and his opponent Evloev was a -185 favorite. Those odds have changed, and the bout is now a pick ’em with the champ listed at -101 and the challenger at -115. As such, even Yan felt that the featherweight title bout was a lot closer than it seems.

It’s an interesting matchup. 55/45 in favor of Volkanovski. Movsar is younger and more motivated, but he still has to beat today’s version of Volkanovski. Movsar will need to either submit him or knock him out. Volkanovski is good on the feet and has good defensive wrestling.

Petr Yan said

Evloev hasn’t finished any of his fights in the UFC. Ever since debuting in the UFC in 2019, the Russian fighter has won 10 fights via decision. This could be why Yan picked Volkanovski to retain the featherweight title.

Meanwhile, Volkanovski is getting up there in age as he turned 38 last month. The Australian MMA legend defeated Diego Lopes in back-to-back title fights and wants to break the undefeated record of Evloev at UFC 333.

Volkanovski did show his quality takedown defense when he fought Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Evloev doesn’t have the back-take and ground control of Makhachev. Hence, Volk feels very confident ahead of his upcoming title defense.

Evloev will have the benefit of being the younger fighter. The sport of MMA can be unforgiving at times. The champion remained confident in his abilities, but admitted that he could retire upon taking severe damages.

RELATED
Josh Hokit With ‘Mental Illness’ Getting Title Shot Sarcastically Mocked by Alexander Volkov

Petr Yan won’t fight ‘friend’ Alexander Volkanovski to achieve double champion status

UFC 333 is this month’s premiere fight card with plenty of contender bouts in the main card as well. The co-main event matchup between Yan and Dvalishvili is a legacy matchup as the winner of the bout can claim the title of being the greatest bantamweight of all time.

Petr Yan and Alexander Volkanovski
Petr Yan and Alexander Volkanovski (Image via Bloody Elbow/Bleacher Report)

If the Russian emerge victorious, he has challenges like Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong in the bantamweight division. At the same time, most champions look for legacy challenges like moving up a weight class to fight for a second divisional title.

UFC has a rich history of fighters moving up a weight class like Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, and Alexander Volkanovski to name a few.

Petr Yan hasn’t thought about challenging for a second belt. However, that challenge will likely not happen as long as Volk reigns as the featherweight champion.

Moving up sounds interesting to me, maybe somewhere in the future. Just 145 pounds champ is my friend, Alex Volkanovski, so I don’t want to beat him up.

Petr Yan told Full Violence

The 33-year-old Russian has a motivated Merab Dvalishvili coming at him. Yan landed many brutal strikes on Dvalishvili when they rematched at UFC 323. Moreover, ‘The Machine’ looked off at UFC 323 as he had competed three times in 2025 before taking on Yan in his fourth fight of the year.

The Georgian superstar revealed that he needed to approach the trilogy bout with a smarter mindset to earn victory. Right now, Yan has plenty on his plate. As such, it would be a while before he fights for the double champion status.

Also Read: