Alexander
Volkanovski sympathizes with Movsar
Evloev.
Volkanovski is scheduled to defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title against
Evloev at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24. The Australian champion felt bad for his
Russian counterpart after fans booed him at their press conference
in September.
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Alexander Volkanovski says he felt bad as UFC fans booed Movsar
Evloev
Volkanovski and Evloev squared off at a press conference in Los
Angeles during UFC
331 fight week to promote their upcoming title clash. Evloev
was showered with boos while the crowd cheered for Volkanovski
throughout the press conference.
Volkanovski recently revealed that he felt bad when the crowd booed
Evloev. While Volkanovski understands why Evloev’s fighting style
might not appeal to some fans, he noted that the undefeated
contender has paid the price for it. “The Great” believes Evloev
has long deserved a title shot and has been held back by his lack
of finishes in the UFC.
“[Evloev] took the long road to the title,” Volkanovski said on the
“Precision” podcast. “He probably deserved it before now, but yeah,
that’s why I’m glad it’s happening. I almost feel bad for the guy.
Like, I’m weird. Even when we were doing the press conference,
everyone was booing him; I’m feeling bad. The boos are meant to get
in his head, and it’s getting more into my head than his, I reckon.
I feel bad for the guy. A lot of people don’t like his style, which
I guess I can understand in this sport; we know how it can be. But
again, he’s taken the long road. I’m a pretty easy champion to
understand. If you deserve it, let’s do it, and he does deserve it,
so I’m glad it’s happening.”
Evloev (20-0) has yet to record a finish during his 10-fight UFC
tenure, prompting criticism from some fans. Nevertheless,
Volkanovski has repeatedly called for a fight with the former
M-1
Global champion, and they’re finally set to clash on Oct. 24 at
Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.