Movsar Evloev calls out Arman Tsarukyan ahead of Volkanovski title fight

The unbeaten Russian said featherweight is his territory and told the lightweight number one contender to make 145lbs if Evloev takes the title from Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 22 Oct, 03:43 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Movsar Evloev has challenged Arman Tsarukyan to drop to featherweight and face him, days before Evloev meets Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC title.

The 32-year-old fights Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, his first UFC title fight. Speaking at the UFC 333 media day, he said he would be open to a fight with Tsarukyan, the lightweight number one contender, if he wins the belt.

Evloev said: “If Arman wants to come down to featherweight, like I said, it’s my territory.” He added: “Make 145lbs and we’ll fight.” The challenge came with a condition attached, with Evloev saying: “If the UFC wants that fight, of course.” Tsarukyan has teased a move down to featherweight for more than a year and earlier this year offered to save the division. He has, however, had trouble making the 155lb lightweight limit in the past.

He is also in action this week, facing Dillon Danis in the main event of Real American Freestyle Wrestling 14 in Las Vegas on Friday.

Evloev goes into Saturday's title fight unbeaten but has faced criticism during fight week, including from Demetrious Johnson, who questioned how Evloev is still in the UFC. Evloev's coach has said Volkanovski's time is over and that the Australian will not be able to keep Evloev off him for 25 minutes.

In this story

Movsar Evloev Arman Tsarukyan