Volkanovski Ends Evloev's Undefeated Run with Historic TKO at UFC 333

Key points

• Alexander Volkanovski defeated Movsar Evloev by TKO at 4:54 of the second round to retain the UFC featherweight title.
• The victory gave Volkanovski his ninth title defense, tying Jose Aldo for the record in featherweight division history.
• Movsar Evloev suffered his first loss in 11 UFC appearances, ending a streak of 20 wins.
• Petr Yan retained the bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47).
• Volkanovski expressed interest in a potential lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje as a potential send-off.

Background

UFC 333 took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2026. The event featured two championship bouts: Volkanovski vs. Evloev and Yan vs. Dvalishvili. Prior to the event, Max Holloway had predicted a decision win for Volkanovski, citing his strategic intelligence. The event aired on Paramount+ with the main card starting at 2 p.m. ET. Volkanovski had previously lost two fights to Islam Makhachev in his quest for the lightweight belt.

How outlets are covering it

Bleacher Report emphasized the historic nature of Volkanovski's win, highlighting his age (38) and the difficulty of defeating a hyped, undefeated prospect. They noted that the victory could push Volkanovski ahead of Jose Aldo in title fight wins, though other sources confirm it tied the record. UFC.com focused on the technical aspects of the fight, describing how Volkanovski tracked down Evloev after a clean right hand. The Orange County Register highlighted the local angle, noting Aaron Pico's first-round TKO and his call for a rematch against Lerone Murphy. Billboard focused on streaming options, noting the event was available on Paramount+ and DirecTV. All sources agreed on the outcome and the significance of the title defense.

Why it matters

Volkanovski's victory cements his status as one of the greatest featherweight fighters of all time, especially given his age. The win ties him for the most title defenses in the division's history. For Evloev, it ends a perfect record and marks a significant setback for a highly touted prospect. The potential for a lightweight title fight with Justin Gaethje adds a new dimension to Volkanovski's legacy, as he seeks to become a two-division champion after failing to beat Islam Makhachev twice.

What to watch

Volkanovski has expressed interest in a lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje, potentially as a send-off. He also welcomed more challengers in the featherweight division, indicating he wants to keep competing. Evloev will need to recover from his first loss and reassess his strategy. The UFC is expected to announce future title fights, including the flyweight and interim welterweight titles at UFC 336 in Toronto on January 30, 2027.