UFC Vegas 56: Movsar Evloev Wants Arnold Allen Fight, Says “I’m Next Champion”

Las Vegas, NV – UFC featherweight Movsar Evloev continues to work his way through the ranks of the division as he adds yet another name in Dan Ige when he defeated him via decision at UFC Vegas 56.

“One more decision. Like I say I wanted to do an early finish, but everybody know about my opponent he’s tough guy. We showed very good fight all three rounds. A lot of blood, a lot of good punching and good wrestling too,” Movsar told reporters at his post-fight scrum on Saturday.

Evloev (16-0) was able to damage Ige early on in the fight. Ige showed a lot of damage to his right eye, and by the time the fight was over the story of the fight could be seen on his face.

“I’m not surprised of (how) tough Dan Ige (is). He’s #10 for a reason. He’s top fighter. He showed very tough fights every time and today I was better on striking, wrestling and everything. Just respect my opponent. He deserve my respect,” Evloev said.

The knock on Evloev has always been that he was nothing more than a wrestler and couldn’t use his striking to win fights. Showing the improvement in his striking was important for the undefeated fighter.

“Everybody think about me just wrestler. Everybody scared about my wrestling, but now everybody scared about my striking too. I’m universal fighter. I can beat on striking, wrestling everybody in my division,” said Evloev.

In the cage following his fight Evloev called out #6 ranked Arnold Allen for UFC London in July.

“I ready for next week. Just give me good name. I’m tired of fight with no names. I deserve good names. I’m next champ. Just give me good names for deserve this,” Evloev said.

“After fight when I don’t have some big injuries I can fight next week. Doesn’t matter who. Just big money, big name.”

Evloev knows that fans want exciting fights and matchups. His style of striking hasn’t made many fans, but he hopes that after this fight he will get some credit for his striking and toughness.

“My opponent after fight with me, maybe my striking not so exciting, but my jab is pretty hard. I cut face my opponent after every punch. Just watch (my) last fight one more time and think about this. I’m not so fast, but I am powerful,” Evloev said.

“I think this performance today tells a lot about me. I’m tough guy. I’m a real tough fighter, and next champ. MMA fans like this sh*t when a lot of blood and a lot of punching. It’s good when you finish early, but sometimes it’s much better when you fight 3 rounds very hard like today.”

If the Allen fight doesn’t materialize Evloev did say he’d accept a bout with #9 ranked Bryce Mitchell.

“Of course I can fight with him (Mitchell), but Arnold is a little bit higher (in ranking) and (i’ll) fight with Bryce if I can’t take fight with Allen.”

Before leaving the media scrum Evloev sent a message to the UFC featherweight roster.

“One more thing I want to say to my division. I’m next champion.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 56 post-fight media appearance from Movsar Evloev above. More coverage from the event can be found below.