Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Movsar Evloev (blue gloves) d reacts during the fight against Arnold Allen (red glove) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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4th Ranked Featherweight Movsar Evloev Gets Unexpected Opponent!

4th ranked featherweight Movsar Evloev gets unexpected opponent instead of the top contenders he and fans were hoping for!

The UFC featherweight division has always been a shark tank. Fighters claw their way up the rankings through blood and sweat. Few manage to keep a zero in their loss column. Movsar Evloev stands among these rare specimens, boasting an impressive undefeated record.

The Ingushetia-born fighter has quietly built one of the most impressive resumes in the UFC. His wrestling-heavy approach might not always produce highlight-reel finishes, but it’s proven nearly impossible to solve. After dominating former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310, many expected Evloev would be rewarded with a high-profile bout on a major pay-per-view card. Instead, the UFC has thrown a curveball that has left many scratching their heads.

Also Read: “I Don’t Think It’s The Same Volk”- Henry Cejudo Gives His Take On Alexander Volkanovski Post-Islam Makhachev

Aaron Pico Steps In as Surprise Opponent

In a shocking development, Movsar Evloev will face promotional newcomer Aaron Pico at UFC Vegas 106 on May 17th. The bout will take place at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, a venue typically reserved for lower-profile Fight Night events rather than contests featuring top-five ranked contenders.

🚨 Movsar Evloev will face Aaron Pico on May 17th at the UFC APEX

(via. @RedCorner_MMA) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/FqlXLBlvDp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 6, 2025

Pico enters the UFC with considerable hype despite never having competed in the promotion before. Once considered the greatest prospect in MMA history when he signed with Bellator, Pico’s career hit early turbulence with several unexpected losses. However, he has since righted the ship, entering the UFC on a three-fight winning streak after stints in both Bellator and PFL.

This matchup represents a massive opportunity for Pico but an equally significant risk for Evloev. The Russian fighter is putting his number four ranking on the line against an unranked opponent making his promotional debut. It’s a classic high-risk, low-reward scenario that has many fans questioning the matchmaking logic.

Movsar Evloev’s Rocky Road to Title Contention

Evloev’s path to a the top has been anything but straightforward. Despite his unblemished record and dominant performances, he has struggled to generate the kind of buzz that typically expedites championship opportunities. His methodical, grappling-heavy approach wins fights but rarely creates viral moments that capture the imagination of casual fans.

The timing of this bout raises additional questions about Evloev’s standing in the division. With champion Alexander Volkanovski set to defend his title against Diego Lopes at UFC 314, many assumed Evloev was being positioned as the next challenger. As he has a win over Lopes as well. This Apex booking suggests otherwise, potentially indicating the UFC has other plans for the winner of Volkanovski-Lopes.

The biggest obstacle in Evloev’s championship pursuit is his fighting style. In an era where the UFC increasingly values entertainment alongside athletic achievement, Evloev’s wrestling dominance hasn’t translated to mainstream appeal. This booking at the smaller Apex facility rather than a numbered pay-per-view further reinforces that perception. The Aaron Pico fight, while unexpected, might represent Evloev’s chance to make a statement that can no longer be ignored by the UFC brass or potential championship opponents.

(Image Credit: Dan Hamilton – Imagn Images)

Aaron Pico

Movsar Evloev

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!