Alexander Volkanovski admits Movsar Evloev boos got in his head

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has expressed sympathy for challenger Movsar Evloev after a contentious press conference in Los Angeles during UFC 331 week. As the two promoted their upcoming title clash at UFC 333 on October 24, Evloev faced a chorus of boos from the crowd while Volkanovski received cheers—a dynamic that affected the champion more than expected.

Volkanovski, speaking on the "Precision" podcast, admitted that the hostile reception to Evloev got under his own skin rather than the challenger's. While acknowledging that some fans dislike Evloev's cautious, control-based fighting style, Volkanovski argued the undefeated contender deserves credit for his long road to the title. Evloev (20-0) has not recorded a finish in his 10 UFC bouts, a fact that critics have seized upon, but Volkanovski has long advocated for this matchup.

"[Evloev] took the long road to the title," Volkanovski explained. "He probably deserved it before now... I almost feel bad for the guy. Even when we were doing the press conference, everyone was booing him; I'm feeling bad. The boos are meant to get in his head, and it's getting more into my head than his, I reckon. I feel bad for the guy. A lot of people don't like his style, which I guess I can understand in this sport; we know how it can be. But again, he's taken the long road."

The title fight is set for October 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.