Volkanovski Sets Featherweight Record with Second-Round TKO of Evloev at UFC 333

Key points

• Volkanovski (29-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) defeated Evloev (20-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) via second-round TKO.
• The win gave Volkanovski his ninth title-fight victory, setting an all-time record for featherweight title wins.
• Evloev, who was previously undefeated, suffered his first professional loss in the fight.
• Petr Yan retained the bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision in the co-main event.
• The event was held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2026.

Background

Volkanovski had previously bounced back from stoppage losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria to regain the featherweight title. His two victories since those defeats came against Diego Lopes, whom Evloev had defeated by decision in 2023. Prior to UFC 333, Volkanovski was seeking a historic ninth title defense to surpass Jose Aldo. The event also featured high-stakes matchups in the flyweight, heavyweight, and bantamweight divisions, with Alexander Volkov and Lone’er Kavanagh also securing wins on the card.

How outlets are covering it

MMA Junkie reported that fighters on social media reacted to Volkanovski’s win, with some calling him the greatest featherweight ever. CBS Sports experts had mixed predictions before the fight, with some favoring Evloev due to his wrestling and physicality, while others backed Volkanovski’s well-rounded game and grappling defense. ESPN’s coverage was unavailable due to a 403 error, and Billboard focused on how to watch the event online, noting that all UFC events are available on Paramount+ for subscribers without additional pay-per-view fees. The sources generally agreed on the outcome but differed in their pre-fight analysis and emphasis on the event’s accessibility.

Why it matters

Volkanovski’s victory solidified his status as a dominant force in the featherweight division, setting a new benchmark for title-fight wins. The result also concluded the trilogy between Yan and Dvalishvili, providing closure to a long-running rivalry. For Evloev, the loss marked the end of his undefeated streak, while Volkanovski’s continued success at age 36 underscores his longevity and adaptability in the sport.

What to watch

Volkanovski indicated he may continue competing if he sustained minimal damage from the fight. The UFC is expected to announce future title defenses and potential challengers for both the featherweight and bantamweight divisions. The next events, UFC 334 and UFC 335, will feature high-profile matchups, including Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit and Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alex Pereira, which could impact the heavyweight rankings.