Jorge Masvidal believes Movsar Evloev's persistent grappling will be too much for Alexander Volkanovski.
Evloev (20-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) challenges featherweight champion Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC 333 (Paramount+) on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Masvidal admits bias toward his American Top Team training partner, Evloev, but highlights his strength as a key factor.
"Movsar, his endurance is so good, and he's so sticky that even when the guys get to their feet, they don't get to break away clean," Masvidal said on "Deep Waters." "He's right back in on a shot again. So, he has that double tap button where you're almost away from him, but he'll just re-engage either with a strong body lock or right back into the leg, and just wear on you, wear on you, and get that takedown. I think that's going to happen with Volk. With Movsar's athleticism, too, I don't think Volk is just going to be able to get up and cut free.
"I think he's going to have a dog fight on his hands every time he gets taken down. ... Movsar is one of the strongest guys, period, at 145. It does not fade. His grip, when he goes like this (squeezes), you go, 'Oh man, this guy is so strong,' I'm hoping he fades. No, he stays the exact same the whole way, and that's what I'm really betting on to really wear down Volk with the age, with the wear, the tear on his body already."
The odds for Volkanovski vs. Evloev are basically a pick'em, but Masvidal is putting all his money on his teammate.
"He's improved a lot since his last, and not just in his offensive-defensive wrestling and striking, but just overall game as an MMA fighter," Masvidal added on Evloev. "You don't know when he's going to take a shot, you don't know when he's going to punch you in the face, his clinch has gotten amazing, too. So, I'm going to have to say it. I'm going to bet the house on him."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jorge Masvidal points to Movsar Evloev's primary advantage over Alexander Volkanovski