If Volkanovski is in half of his prime, he beats Lopes

Movsar Evloev is confident in his prediction for the featherweight title fight at UFC 314.

Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) takes on Diego Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant 145-pound belt in the April 12 main event at Kaseya Center in Miami.

Volkanovski has been knocked out by Ilia Topuria and UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in his past two fights. But if he can recover and return to the form which saw him defend his featherweight title five times, Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) thinks he beats Lopes handily.

“I think if Volkanovski has 50 percent of his prime shape, he can beat this guy easy,” Evloev told Home of Fight. “I’ll be next for him, and we will see.”

Many people think Evloev was snubbed out of the title picture, but despite holding a recent win over Lopes, the undefeated contender isn’t entirely surprised.

“No, but people who are rooting for the sport, they were waiting for me as a contender for the title,” Evloev said. “But now it’s a little bit of a different time because people need more trash (talk), dirty stuff, some finishes. Even if you lose 10 times but you have finishes, you have more of a chance to get a title shot.”

Volkanovski said he’s willing to make a quick turnaround and offer Evloev a title shot if victorious at UFC 314.

“We’ll see what the UFC will say about me or about his next opponent, but I’m ready,” Evloev said. “I’m ready since I beat (Aljamain Sterling) behind you, and I’m still waiting for a fight or fight news, but nothing yet. Nobody is accepting to fight against me.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.