UFC 310 is stacked from top to bottom; so much so that former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling's clash with #5 ranked Movsar Evloev has been relegated to the prelims.
While the two are still at odds over the placement of their fight, the undefeated Russian believes UFC 310 is still the perfect opportunity to prove that the featherweight division is in desperate need of some 'fresh blood'.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Movsar Evloev believes it's time for 'fresh blood' in the UFC featherweight division
The UFC featherweight division is currently experiencing a quiet stalemate; with champion Ilia Topuria weighing his options for his second title defense; either a rematch with former champion Alexander Volkanovski or against rising Brazilian Diego Lopes.
As we wait for 'El Matador' to decide his next opponent, undefeated Russian contender Movsar Evloev believes the Spanish-Georgian sensation should ignore some of the veterans standing between him and a title contender.
“I don't think that's a good idea [for Topuria] to fight Volkanovski again,” Evloev told the media just a few days before returning to action at UFC 310 against Aljamain Sterling.
“Volkanovski is a legend, but he is done, and so is Max Holloway… They have been good fighters for a long time, but [their] Time has passed, you know, there is new blood, so let me prove that I am a champion [material].”
Evloev may be the #5 featherweight in the rankings with eight straight wins under the UFC banner, but with all eight wins coming via judges' scorecards, the 18-0 contender has been accused of cheating his way into in the title fight.
“I mean, everyone's talking about it [me not getting the] finish, okay, if you need a finish, try to finish me,” Evloev said in response, teasing that after 11 months of preparation, he is ready to send a statement to Topuria at UFC 310.
“He defeated great legends like Volkanovski and Max Holloway; These legends were once good, but then suffered great damage [their level] went down and you beat them,” Evloev said of the champion, via UFC News.
“I don't think you've beaten the legends we looked at [before]… I am the man who is this man's worst nightmare. So just let me go [and] step into the cage, and I will prove it.”
Movsar Evloev Blames Aljamain Sterling for Their UFC 310 Preliminary Qualification
A major storyline in UFC 310 was the placement of Sterling vs. Evloev, which has been buried in the prelims, while Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie has been moved to the main card.
Sterling was furious about the PPV cut, claiming the UFC won't realize they “made a mistake” until the cage door locks behind him on Saturday night – Evloev claims otherwise.
“I think we are in the preliminaries thanks to him, but that doesn't matter to me. [I get the] Same thing and no one cares… Maybe it's better to stick to the prelims for this card because more people will watch our fight.
“I think I will do something before this fight [impressive]… I don't think this fight is going to be boring because of his style and my style [is so similar]When two wrestlers fight each other, it's always a good fight.
Evloev stated that the fight will determine “who the next contender is for the title,” before firing back at Sterling's accusation that he had taken performance-enhancing drugs.
“I don't know what this guy is looking for, how can you say someone is on steroids if you don't know? He said, 'I don't see it, but I know it' – how do you know that?
“I have USADA, doping control, tell them if you know anything.”
UFC 310 takes place this weekend, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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