Petr Yan gives Volkanovski’s wrestling his stamp of APPROVAL 👀🔥 Yan believes Volk has what it takes to handle Movsar Evloev’s grappling, pointing to his impressive takedown defense against Islam Makhachev in their first fight. He even gives Volk a 55–45 edge heading into UFC 333. [ via @redcorner.mma ]
Petr Yan has weighed in on the matchup at UFC 333, picking Alexander Volkanovski to edge Movsar Evloev in a close fight. Yan gave the Australian a 55-45 advantage, arguing that Volkanovski has the wrestling to deal with Evloev's grappling.
The Russian bantamweight pointed to Volkanovski's takedown defense against Islam Makhachev in their first fight as evidence that the champion can keep the fight where he wants it.
Volkanovski, 38, enters as featherweight champion with a 28-4 record and a place at number three in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Australian out of Freestyle Fighting Gym lands 5.99 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect a high-volume, accurate striker. He averages 1.63 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Evloev, 32, is unbeaten at 20-0 and ranked first at featherweight. The Russian trains at American Top Team and has built his résumé on control. He averages 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes, far above Volkanovski's rate, and lands 3.91 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy. He stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, a slight edge over Volkanovski's 71 inches.
Yan, 33, is a fellow Russian and a bantamweight champion with a 20-5 record. His read on the fight carries weight as a high-level striker who has faced elite pressure and wrestling himself.
Why it matters
- Evloev's unbeaten run and takedown volume set up a clear grappling-versus-striking contrast.
- Volkanovski's defensive wrestling is the central question, and Yan believes it holds up.
- Yan's 55-45 split suggests he sees a tight contest rather than a clear favorite.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev
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