The Featherweight Division’s Dark Horse: Why Movsar Deserves the Title Shot Now
After reclaiming the featherweight belt at UFC 314, Alexander Volkanovski made it clear that he’s staying active and ready to defend, potentially as early as July but with Ilia Topuria vacating the title and names like Max Holloway and Brian Ortega likely moving to lightweight, the Featherweight Division is suddenly wide open. While some are calling for Yair Rodriguez to be next in line, a stronger and more deserving contender is being overlooked: Movsar Evloev. Evloev is one of the most promising undefeated talents in the UFC today. He boasts a perfect 19-0 record, including nine straight wins inside the UFC. Ranked ahead of Rodriguez in the official featherweight standings, Movsar’s résumé speaks for itself, and yet, some fans still hesitate to place him in the title conversation. Let’s break down why those criticisms don’t hold up.
Movsar Is a Boring Fighter
One common knock against Movsar is his lack of finishes — none in his nine UFC fights. However, is that really the mark of a boring fighter? Yes, Evloev leans on his grappling and averages over four takedowns per fight. No, he’s not known for a dangerous submission game. Yet, labeling him “just a wrestler” misses the bigger picture. Movsar possesses some of the cleanest striking in the division. His kickboxing is sharp, his combinations are quick, and he’s athletic enough to mix in flying knees and leg kicks with ease.
Against Dan Ige, Evloev repeatedly stunned his opponent with striking, dealing significant damage over the course of the fight. In fact, Movsar lands 3.99 significant strikes per minute, just shy of Yair Rodriguez’s 4.65, and does so with higher accuracy. He’s also never fought in a five-round main or co-main event. Had his bouts against fighters like Ige or Arnold Allen gone longer, a finish might have come. Outside the UFC, he racked up seven finishes in 10 fights. He’s capable of ending fights, he just hasn’t had the right spotlight yet.
Movsar Isn’t Marketable Enough
Another myth is that Movsar lacks star power. While he doesn’t have the flashiest personality, his fanbase is much larger than people realize. He’s a rising star out of Dagestan, a region that has already produced icons like Khabib Nurmagomedov, and he’s built a huge following, particularly in the Middle East. With over 1.3 million Instagram followers, he’s more popular online than most of the Featherweight Division. He also trains with American Top Team and speaks solid English, making him a viable option to promote in both Eastern and Western markets. Despite never headlining a card, he has more fan engagement than recent title challengers like Diego Lopes or even Yair Rodriguez.
Movsar Hasn’t Fought Tough Competition
While it’s true that Evloev hasn’t faced a title contender yet, his résumé is stronger than many realize. His last four wins are over fighters currently ranked in the Featherweight Division, including Diego Lopes — who just fought for the title, and former Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling. He hasn’t just maintained an undefeated record; he’s done so against opponents with legitimate credentials. In a division suddenly light on elite contenders, Movsar’s streak stands out.
Conclusion
With the featherweight title back in Volkanovski’s hands, and with Topuria, Holloway, and Ortega out of the picture, there’s no clearer contender than Movsar Evloev. While some fans push for a Yair Rodriguez rematch, Yair is already tied up in a budding rivalry with Diego Lopes, potentially headlining a card in Mexico this fall. That leaves a perfect window of opportunity. Movsar is undefeated, improving, and overlooked no longer. The time for his shot is now.
