T.J. Dillashaw says Alexander Volkanovski’s experience and well-rounded style should help him handle Movsar Evloev’s grappling challenge in Saturday’s featherweight title main event at Etihad Arena.
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T.J. Dillashaw believes age could slow Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC’s lighter weight classes, but he also argues the champion still “fights really smart” as he prepares to defend his featherweight title against undefeated contender Movsar Evloev.
Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) will defend his featherweight championship against Evloev (20-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) in Saturday’s main event at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, with the event listed for Paramount+.
Dillashaw said he expects the sport’s physical toll to catch up, noting, “Age definitely plays a factor, especially in these lighter weight classes. You do slow down. Your body can only take so much.” However, he emphasized that Volkanovski’s approach is designed to limit damage: “But he fights really smart. He doesn't take a lot of punishment for the most part. He does a really good job of staying out of damage, and doing a real good job with his technique, and game plan of how he fights each person.”
Dillashaw pointed to Volkanovski’s recent title-fight rebound after back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, saying the champion responded by defeating Diego Lopes twice in title fights.
Looking ahead to Evloev, Dillashaw described him as an “elite and relentless grappler,” but said he expects Volkanovski to be difficult to corral. “I think he still gets the win this weekend. I think he's just going to be hard to corral,” Dillashaw said, adding that Volkanovski’s footwork and shot selection should make it hard for Evloev to force the fight where he wants it. “He picks his shots really well. He gets in and out. I think it's going to be hard for Evloev to cut him off and take the fight to where he wants it.”
Dillashaw contrasted Evloev’s path to success with a need to disrupt Volkanovski’s ability to operate on his terms, arguing that Evloev will have to “make it an ugly fight.” He said Evloev needs to “get fast on his feet to be able to cut him off, corral him, get him towards that cage,” then press the advantage by turning the exchange into something uncomfortable for the champion: “And you've got to turn the fight, I think, dirty. And if you're going to throw, you've got to commit to it to its fullest to get Volk to commit back, and you catch him on his counters.”
Dillashaw also said Evloev’s style challenge comes from Volkanovski’s elusiveness, saying, “He does a real good job of staying elusive outside your shoulders and moving,” and that Evloev will need to maintain non-stop pressure across multiple phases of the fight.
On criticism that Evloev has drawn from former UFC champions, including Demetrious Johnson and Jose Aldo—who, according to Dillashaw’s remarks, suggested the Russian should be released for never finishing in the octagon—Dillashaw said Evloev deserves respect for his accomplishments. “No, you've got to respect it,” Dillashaw said. “This is a sport. I understand it's also entertainment, but the guy has proved himself. He deserves the title shot.”
In addressing what it takes to win, Dillashaw said he expects Evloev to pursue wrestling and grappling first, but added that he believes Evloev still has to threaten with striking to earn those takedowns. “That's exactly what it is,” Dillashaw said about pre-fight claims, “Even him saying he's going to strike more and this kind of stuff ... no one's going to believe it. You're going to wrestle. You're going to grapple. That's your path to victory.” He continued: “But I'm saying if he wants to get the takedowns, he is going to have to strike enough. You've got to make a guy believe in your hands enough to get the takedown.”
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