Newark, NJ — Undefeated featherweight Movsar Evloev was supposed to be fighting Bryce Mitchell at UFC 288 this weekend, a big match-up for the 145lb weight class.
Unfortunately, the bout fell through for the second time. While Eloev (16-0) pulled out last year, it was Mitchell injured this time around. In steps Diego Lopes, on just five days’ notice, but Eloev isn’t too upset over it.
“I can be angry or not, nobody cares,” the Russian said on Wednesday. Instead, he offered his thanks to Lopes and the UFC for salvaging his fight.
“I’m very grateful. Grateful he took this fight. Injuries, many things happened, it’s just part of our game,” noted Evloev. “Everybody knows, before, when fight can happen, I was injured. Now he’s injured. Everything is from [the] almighty, I’m ready for everything.”
“It’s going to be a big war inside the cage, but I respect him.”
Preparation, luckily, is something Evloev had covered already. “Usually I prepare for everything, anything. Doesn’t matter. Southpaw, orthodox, wrestler, striker. I’m ready for everything. It was short notice even for Bryce Mitchell when I took the fight,” Evloev observed. “I had, not too much time to do something special. Like I said, I just focused on myself, to become [in] good shape, do some good cutting weight.”
There was one thing he and his team had to switch up, however. “One thing that we changed is move to the other side, because now, [my opponent is] orthodox.”
Of course, a fight with Bryce Mitchell might push the former M-1 champion closer to a title shot, with Alexander Volkanovski running low on opponents. A fight against Diego Lopes, a UFC newcomer, doesn’t have the same shine. But Evloev reiterated he’s just happy to be fighting.
“I think a fight with Bryce is a better opportunity. But I don’t care. A fight is a fight, and after this fight, I have somebody who I will call [out]. Even if they organize once again, a fight with Bryce, it can be good.”
Asked about the pending title fight between Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez, Evloev was quick to sing the Mexican’s praises — but ultimately sided with Volk. There’s but one name that can beat Volkanovski in Movsar Evloev’s opinion.
“Only one guy can beat Alex,” Evloev stated. “[He’s] in front of you.”
Watch the full UFC 288 media day appearance by Movsar Evloev above.
