Islam Makhachev thinks UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is no longer in his prime.
UFC welterweight champion Makhachev beat Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) twice in lightweight title fights. After getting knocked out by Makhachev in their rematch, Volkanovski lost his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria by knockout.
However, Topuria would relinquish his belt, and Volkanovski rebounded by defeating Diego Lopes to claim the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314. He beat Lopes a second time at UFC 325, and is set to defend his belt against Movsar Evloev (20-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) in the UFC 333 main event on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi.
"(Evloev) himself also knows that the fight will not be easy, that Volkanovski is a tough opponent for anyone,"
Makhachev said in a translated interview with Ushatayka (h/t Freak MMA). "But I think Movsar will cope with his youth. Volkanovski already, to be honest, not at that peak he had a couple of years ago. Although, he is still one of the best fighters. I think it'll be a very competitive fight, but Movsar I hope will get his result."
Volkanovski will be 38 when he fights Evloev. He has no intention of retiring, unless things go "terribly wrong" against Evloev.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev: Movsar Evloev beats Alexander Volkanovski with youth
