Volkanovski Surpasses Aldo Record with TKO of Evloev at UFC 333

3 min read
Source: CBS Sports
Volkanovski Surpasses Aldo Record with TKO of Evloev at UFC 333
Photo: CBS Sports
TL;DR

Alexander Volkanovski retained the UFC featherweight title by stopping undefeated Movsar Evloev in the second round at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, surpassing Jose Aldo for the most title-fight wins in division history. In the co-main event, Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision to complete their trilogy. The card also featured strong performances from Lone’er Kavanagh and Alexander Volkov, with Volkanovski and Kavanagh earning Performance of the Night bonuses.

Key points

  • Volkanovski, 38, stopped Evloev via TKO in the second round, ending the challenger's 20-0 record and surpassing Aldo for the most title-fight wins in featherweight history.
  • Yan defeated Dvalishvili by unanimous decision in a five-round fight, overcoming a slow start to secure a comeback victory and complete their trilogy.
  • Volkanovski and Kavanagh earned Performance of the Night bonuses, while Yan and Dvalishvili shared the Fight of the Night bonus.
  • Volkov won a unanimous decision over Rizvan Kuniev on his 38th birthday, challenging Dana White for a heavyweight title shot.
  • Kavanagh defeated Ramazan Temirov via TKO, rebounding from recent losses and positioning himself as a future title contender at flyweight.

Background

UFC 333 took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2026. The event featured two title defenses and a strong card, with Volkanovski and Yan emerging as standout performers. Previous archive coverage noted Volkanovski's historic record-setting victory and the bonuses awarded to top performers.

How outlets are covering it

CBS Sports emphasized Volkanovski's longevity and greatness, noting his potential to be among the sport's top 10 fighters. Bleacher Report highlighted the high level of the card, praising Volkanovski's control and Yan's comeback, while also noting the stacked flyweight division. ESPN's source was inaccessible, so no perspective could be synthesized from it. Both CBS and Bleacher Report agreed on the significance of Volkanovski's record and Yan's trilogy conclusion, but CBS focused more on Volkanovski's legacy, while Bleacher Report emphasized the overall quality of the card.

Why it matters

Volkanovski's victory cements his status as a featherweight legend, surpassing Aldo's record and showcasing his ability to compete at a high level at 38. Yan's win completes a classic trilogy and highlights his resilience and technical skill. The event also showcased the depth of the flyweight and light heavyweight divisions, with Kavanagh and Volkov positioning themselves for future title opportunities.

What to watch

Volkanovski may continue his reign, potentially facing more top contenders. Yan's next opponent is yet to be determined, but his trilogy victory solidifies his status as a bantamweight legend. Volkov's challenge for a title shot may be addressed in upcoming matchmaking, and Kavanagh could be in line for a title opportunity if Joshua Van defeats Manel Kape in January.

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