Pull Daily analyst goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in EVW. Today, he takes a closer look at the key heavyweight match between Devon Larratt and Ibragim Sagov in Budapest.
Devon Larrat EVW 27 preview
Record on right arm: 7-2 EVW, 4-1 KOTT Height: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) Age: 51 Weight for the fight: 115 kg (254lb)
Last right arm fight: 4-1 victory over Vitaly Laletin
Main Armwrestling move: King’s move and open arm toproll
Versatility: Extremely High
Ibragim Sagov EVW 27 preview
Record on right arm: 4-3 EVW, 1-0 KOTT Height: 192 cm (6 ft 3 in) Age: 36 Weight for the fight: 115 kg (254 lb)
Last right arm fight: 4-0 victory over Yorden Tsonev
Main Armwrestling move: Deep inside press
Versatility: Low
Devon is as confident as anyone could be heading into such an important match, while Ibragim doesn’t seem particularly intimidated either. According to Devon, both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions belong to him. He simply chooses not to pursue them at certain times, but when he does, he believes there is no one who can stop him.
Devon has previously dominated Evgeny Prudnik and Oleg Petrenko to claim the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles, respectively. However, his absence from these weight classes eventually forced him to forfeit both titles. Ibragim, meanwhile, is young, hungry, and exceptionally strong in positions where Devon appears most vulnerable at this stage of his career.
Devon Larratt vs. Ibragim Sagov: The deciding factor of the match
Devon’s King’s Move has remained undefeated for more than two years. However, Ibragim isn’t an opponent Devon can afford to underestimate. Sagov’s powerful cup could keep Devon’s pronation neutralized during the opening seconds of each round, allowing him to work through Devon’s arm without much trouble.
Devon would most likely take Sagov’s wrist, but the real question is where he takes it. Because even with his wrist compromised, Sagov’s ability to engage his frame, shoulder, and triceps could allow him to surge through Devon.
If Devon fails to pull Sagov out of the position he wants to establish, this could turn into a long, grueling battle for both athletes.
Who would win in a long fight?
People often talk about Devon’s exceptional endurance, and rightfully so. But the real question is whether he has the strength to keep Ibragim in a position where he doesn’t expend his energy faster than Sagov does.
If Sagov manages to establish his press and forces Devon to rely on his arm strength to hold him off, Devon could burn through his endurance much faster than Ibragim. Despite his superior stamina, a lack of positional control could put Devon at a significant disadvantage.
However, if Devon manages to pull Sagov out of position and make him bleed in the opening rounds, the match could turn into a nightmare for the Russian.
In my view, victory won’t necessarily go to the man with the greater endurance, but to the one with the strength to pull his opponent out of his strongest position, faster.
Devon’s versatility
Even when he looks like he’s struggling, Devon’s greatest strength is his ability to attack from multiple angles. Against Sagov, that matters more than ever, because his threat goes beyond outside dominance: he also has exceptional inside strength.
I’m fairly sure Devon has studied Sagov’s matches closely. Two stand out to me: Todd Hutchings and Dave Chaffee. In both, Sagov looked far less dominant once his press was neutralized by an inside attack. Chaffee’s approach is especially interesting, because the high hook has long been one of Devon’s most reliable weapons, and it was crucial in his win over one of the deadliest armwrestlers to ever draw breath.
Sagov may well get through Devon’s outside moves with his press. But Devon can use his huge frame to drag the match inside and meet Sagov on his own terms, as he did against Jerry Cadorrette in WAL and Genadi Kvikvinia in EVW 7.
The real question is whether he can hold up against the raw strength Sagov brings to the table.
Devon Larratt vs. Ibragim Sagov start time, how to watch
Devon and Ibragim would fight on 24 October 2026 1:00 p.m. ET. The match streams on EVW Sports.
