Movsar Evloev after his 1st loss: "Maybe we'll try again", and not a word about retirement
Movsar Evloev lost for the 1st time in 21 pro fights at UFC 333, stopped by Alexander Volkanovski in round 2. Before the fight, he had answered the champion’s retirement pledge with “Same thing”. In the Octagon and on X, he called Volkanovski a legend, accepted the defeat and spoke of trying again. He did not mention retirement.
Full event coverage: Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev: the UFC 333 loser has promised to walk
Key takeaways
- Movsar Evloev is now 20-1 after his TKO loss to Alexander Volkanovski at 4:54 of round 2 at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.
- In the Octagon he told Daniel Cormier he had not yet proved he was the best, and added: "Maybe we'll try again."
- Before the fight he had matched Volkanovski's retirement pledge with "Same thing". He has not mentioned retirement since.
Movsar Evloev in the Octagon: no excuses
A legend, in his words
“He’s like good wine. Older, stronger, better. He’s truly a legend,” Evloev told Daniel Cormier right after the stoppage, according to MMA Junkie. He thanked Abu Dhabi and the fans in the arena.
The best, not yet
“I didn’t prove that I’m the best. I’m not yet,” he said. He added that it is better to lose to a fighter like Volkanovski than to someone who is not at his level.
Injuries to treat
Evloev said he needs to go home, rest and recover from his injuries. He gave no detail on those injuries.
The message on X
Acceptance
On October 25, Evloev wrote on X that it “wasn’t my day” and that he accepted what was written for him. He congratulated Volkanovski, “the better man today”, according to Heavy.
Thanks to the UFC
He thanked the UFC for giving him the chance to fight for the title, and his fans. He named no next opponent.
The record changes
Evloev arrived 20-0, with 10 wins in the UFC. He leaves 20-1, and 10-1 in the UFC. Volkanovski moves to 29-4.
I didn't prove that I'm the best. I'm not yet. Maybe we'll try again.
The retirement question
What was said before
In the week of the fight, Volkanovski said he would walk away if things went badly. Evloev answered with 2 words in the comments of a post: “Same thing”. We covered that exchange before UFC 333.
What he says now
“Maybe we’ll try again” is the opposite of a farewell. As of Sunday, Evloev had not announced a retirement, and nothing in his words points that way.
Follow what comes next
Movsar Evloev and Alexander Volkanovski have their profile, record and rating in the FightHub app.
- Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev: the UFC 333 loser has promised to walk
- Volkanovski vs Gaethje: the featherweight champion says he would retire, win or lose, for the lightweight belt
- UFC 333 results: Volkanovski ends Evloev’s unbeaten run by TKO, Yan beats Dvalishvili in the rubber match
- Oktagon 95 results: Tomasz Narkun submits Daniel Škvor in round 1, Feucht wins in 13 seconds
