Demetrious Johnson Questions Movsar Evloev's UFC Status Over Lack of Finishes

Former UFC flyweight champion and Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson has questioned why title challenger Movsar Evloev is still with the promotion, citing the Russian fighter's absence of stoppage victories. Johnson addressed the topic during an episode of the "Precision" podcast, which he co-hosts alongside Israel Adesanya, with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski appearing as a guest.

Evloev (20-0) is scheduled to challenge Volkanovski (28-4) for the featherweight title at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Although Evloev has finished seven of his 20 professional career victories, he has gone the distance in all 10 of his UFC appearances without recording a single knockout or submission. Johnson noted that the promotion has previously moved on from fighters it deemed unentertaining, pointing to Michael Page, who went 5-1 in the UFC without a finish before parting ways with the organization.

Johnson also expressed disbelief that Evloev has not produced a submission win in the Octagon despite his grappling background. “[Evloev] is undefeated, 20-0, no finishes [in the UFC],” Johnson said. “The UFC is so gung-ho about cutting people who aren’t exciting, no knockouts.

He’s not knocking people out, but he’s doing some flashy sh*t in there. But no knockouts, not even a submission?”