'Chasing Most Title Fight Wins' Volkanovski Fires Provocative Remarks: "Opponent Will Fall into Panic... I'll Finish It with a Submission"

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UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski (38, Australia) and Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan (33, Russia) both passed the weigh-in, completing their preparations for the showdown.

The UFC announced on the 24th that it held an official weigh-in event at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

With all competing fighters meeting the limit weight, the title fight card for "UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Ebrayev," scheduled to take place at Etihad Arena on the 25th, was officially confirmed.

Featherweight (65.8kg) Champion Volkanovski, who is set to compete in the main event, stepped off the scale at 65.5kg, while No. 1 ranked challenger Makhmud Ebrayev (32, Russia) weighed in at 65.8kg.

In this fight, Volkanovski will challenge for a new record of most wins in UFC Featherweight title fights (9 wins), surpassing Jose Aldo. Currently tied with Aldo at 8 wins, a victory would place him alone atop the list for the most wins in the division.

According to the UFC, after shaking hands with Ebrayev in the center of the stage, Volkanovski stated his resolve: "Both the main and co-main events will be matches between champions and No. 1 ranked challengers. That is how title fights should be. We will put on a great show."

Earlier, at a press conference where he drew attention by dressing up as a character from the original game film, he said, "Ebrayev will not be able to throw wild tacks and will end up swinging his fists in a state of panic," adding, "The opponent's techniques will not work on me. I can finish it quickly with a submission."

Challenger Ebrayev, entering his first title fight amid an unbeaten streak of 20 consecutive wins, countered: "I have done everything I needed to do and said everything I needed to say. I will prove in the Octagon what I have prepared for over a long period." He continued, "Volkanovski is the greatest Featherweight fighter in history, but I will face him on his terms. If he wants a KO, I will give it to him. I will show that I can do whatever I want."

Tension also surrounds the Bantamweight (61.2kg) title fight in the co-main event. Champion Yan and challenger Merab Dvalishvili (35, Georgia) both recorded 61.2kg to pass the weigh-in. This is the third meeting between the two fighters, who have a head-to-head record of 1 win and 1 loss each, and serves as the final chapter to end their rivalry. It is a rematch 10 months after Yan defeated Dvalishvili by decision in December last year to become champion.

After stepping off the scale, Yan immediately approached Dvalishvili and raised his fist to assert dominance, while Dvalishvili, draped in the Georgian flag, met his fist and did not back down.

Yan emphasized his special connection with Abu Dhabi. Having previously defeated Aldo in Abu Dhabi to reach the top and secured an interim title against Cory Sandhagen, Yan stated, "Abu Dhabi is the best place for me," adding, "I will dismantle everything about 'The Machine' according to the team's strategy. This time too, I will break his nose and show who is the best."

Dvalishvili, aiming for revenge, responded: "Abu Dhabi is my territory, and I am the king here. A new champion will be born. I will fight with my life to reclaim the belt again and then remain active."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original