Volkanovski breaks title-fight win record, Yan defeats Dvalishvili again at UFC 333

Unbeaten Evloev stopped in Round 2 as Volkanovski claims ninth featherweight title-fight win

Yan defends bantamweight title with unanimous decision over Dvalishvili, extends win streak to five

Alexander Volkanovski (38, Australia, left) lands a punch on Movsar Evloev (32, Russia) during the UFC 333 featherweight title fight at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). [UFC]

Alexander Volkanovski of Australia stopped the previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev of Russia to set a new record for wins in UFC featherweight title fights.

The featherweight champion finished Evloev by TKO via punches at 4 minutes 54 seconds of Round 2 in the main event of UFC 333 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time).

The victory gave Volkanovski nine wins in featherweight title fights, surpassing the previous record of eight held by Jose Aldo of Brazil. It also marked his second successful title defense since reclaiming the belt in 2025. His overall record now stands at 29-4.

His opponent, the No. 1-ranked Evloev, entered the bout with a perfect 20-0 record. The wrestling-heavy Russian scored three takedowns in the first round, but Volkanovski rose each time and kept the fight on the feet.

In Round 2, Volkanovski seized top position on the ground and took control. He stepped up his striking, landing a left hook and a right straight that dropped Evloev, and the referee stopped the fight as ground punches followed.

Alexander Volkanovski of Australia drapes the Australian flag over his shoulders and poses with the championship belt after stopping Movsar Evloev by TKO in Round 2 of the UFC 333 featherweight title fight at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). [UFC]

After the fight, Volkanovski said, "There's a reason Evloev was unbeaten. But I said I was the right man to end that streak."

Volkanovski again raised the prospect of a super fight against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (37, United States) as his next goal. "If the UFC gives me a shot at the lightweight title, I'll retire win or lose," he said, adding that he would relinquish the title even if he won.

UFC President Dana White left the door open, saying it would be hard to turn down Volkanovski's request given his accomplishments. Gaethje's upcoming schedule and willingness to take the fight have yet to be confirmed, however.

Petr Yan (33, Russia, left) connects with a left punch to the chin of Merab Dvalishvili (35, Georgia) during the UFC 333 bantamweight title fight at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). [UFC]

In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Petr Yan of Russia successfully made his first title defense, defeating Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47).

Yan had lost to Dvalishvili in 2023 before avenging that defeat at UFC 323 last year. He won again Sunday, moving to 2-1 in their head-to-head series.

Dvalishvili controlled the early rounds with striking and takedowns, but Yan turned the tide from Round 3, shutting down the takedown attempts and countering with body kicks and punches.

The win extended Yan's streak to five and lifted his overall record to 21-5. He now has four wins in UFC bantamweight title fights, placing him joint second behind TJ Dillashaw's five.

When asked about his next challenger, Yan said, "I'm the UFC champion — I don't pick opponents," adding that he was ready to fight anyone.

No. 3-ranked bantamweight Song Yadong of China, who was in attendance, raised both fists when his name came up as a potential challenger. Former champion Sean O'Malley of the United States was also mentioned as a candidate.

yjc@heraldcorp.com