‘Like a good wine’: Beaten Russian’s tribute to ‘legend’ Volk after title dream crushed

Movsar Evloev came to take Alexander Volkanovski's crown.

He left comparing the Windang champion to a good wine.

Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson 'Big Nasty' Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.

After suffering his first professional defeat in a second-round stoppage at UFC 333, the Russian juggernaut offered a blunt assessment of his own performance - and a generous tribute to the Aussie champion who dismantled him.

"It was a terrible fight," Evloev said.

"He's like a good wine: older, stronger, better. He's truly a legend."

At 38, Volk had entered the fight facing familiar questions about his age and how much longer he could hold off the next generation of hungry contenders.

Evloev was supposed to provide an answer on Sunday morning.

Unbeaten and armed with the wrestling game many believed could trouble the Aussie, the challenger looked a serious threat to Volk's reign at the top.

Instead, the champ finished him inside two rounds.

And afterwards, Evloev made no attempt to talk his way around what had happened.

"I didn't prove I'm the best in the world," he said.

"Not yet.

"Maybe I'll try again."

The result was a crushing setback for a fighter who had worked his way into position to challenge for the belt without tasting defeat.

But even with his title hopes dashed, Evloev found some consolation in the calibre of the man who beat him.

"Alex is a great champion and I'm glad to share the cage with him," he said.

"It's better to lose to a guy like him."

Volk returned the praise, reminding fans that the result should not take the shine from what Evloev had achieved heading into their showdown.

"He's a great fighter, he was undefeated for a reason," Volkanovski said.

"I'm just the right guy for that job."

And after another brilliant performance, "The Great" suggested there will be plenty more to come.

"I choose to do this. I said if I didn't take too much damage we'd probably keep going.

"So, maybe we'll keep going."