Volkanovski finishes undefeated Evloev in Abu Dhabi

UFC 333 delivered in Abu Dhabi: Alexander Volkanovski knocked out 20-0 Movsar Evloev to set a featherweight record and strengthen his GOAT case, while Petr Yan edged Merab Dvalishvili in their trilogy to keep bantamweight gold. The promotion also used the broadcast to firm up UFC 336, booking two title fights for Toronto after Islam Makhachev's withdrawal.

Volkanovski KOs undefeated Evloev, sets featherweight title record

In the UFC 333 main event, Alexander Volkanovski stopped previously undefeated Movsar Evloev by second-round TKO (4:54) at Etihad Arena, handing the Russian his first pro loss and dropping him to 20-1. It was Volkanovski's ninth featherweight title-fight win, breaking Jose Aldo's divisional record, and his second defense of his second reign. The 38-year-old said he plans to keep fighting, with Jean Silva and the Sterling-Vallejos winner among possible next challengers.

Why it matters: At 38 and coming off two knockout losses to Topuria, Volkanovski not only beat but finished the division's most feared contender, all but closing the featherweight GOAT debate and reshaping a title picture with no obvious threat left.

Yan wins Dvalishvili trilogy, surges late to keep bantamweight belt

Petr Yan defended his bantamweight title with a unanimous decision (48-47 x3) over Merab Dvalishvili in the UFC 333 co-main event, taking their series 2-1. Dvalishvili controlled the first two rounds with relentless wrestling, attempting over 50 takedowns, but Yan's takedown defense held and he swept the championship rounds with body kicks and boxing. The pair earned Fight of the Night; Yan called out Song Yadong, King Kong and a possible Sean O'Malley rematch.

Why it matters: A second straight win over Dvalishvili erases any doubt that Yan's reclaimed reign is for real and reorders the top of 135, with an O'Malley rematch looming as the division's marquee 2027 fight.

UFC 336 set with two title fights as Makhachev sits out until after Ramadan

The UFC announced its Jan. 30 Toronto card during the UFC 333 broadcast: Joshua Van defends the flyweight title against Manel Kape in the main event, while Carlos Prates and Michael Morales fight for an interim welterweight title in the co-main. Champion Islam Makhachev declined the January date, pushing his return to between May and July due to Ramadan. Dana White criticized his activity, saying the once-a-year champion gave 'no reason,' and 'you can't hold up divisions like this'; the Prates-Morales winner is expected to face Makhachev in a unification bout.

Why it matters: An interim belt with a healthy champion is a pointed move by the UFC, and it turns two of welterweight's most explosive finishers into instant stakes while Van-Kape settles a long-running flyweight grudge.

Volkanovski reveals he fought UFC 333 with the flu, refused medication

Volkanovski disclosed after his win that he was sick on fight day, with training partner Craig Jones confirming he battled the flu all week. Reporter Oscar Willis said the champion refused to take any medication, even ibuprofen, because he felt it would give him an unfair sporting advantage over Evloev. 'It would've been too easy if I wasn't sick,' Volkanovski said.

Why it matters: The detail reframes an already dominant performance and underlines the obsessive mindset that has kept Volkanovski at the top of the sport into his late 30s.

Reyes, Yakhyaev and Pico headline UFC 333 undercard carnage

Beyond the two title fights, UFC 333 produced seven stoppages. Dominick Reyes head-kicked and finished Azamat Murzakanov in Round 1 for back-to-back wins, 25-year-old Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev knocked out Nikita Krylov to stay unbeaten, and Aaron Pico scored his first UFC finish in 74 seconds over Losene Keita. Flyweight Lone'er Kavanagh took Performance of the Night for a first-round TKO of Ramazan Temirov; Volkanovski, Yan, Dvalishvili and Kavanagh each banked $100,000.

Why it matters: The light heavyweight finishes push Reyes and prospect Yakhyaev up a division hungry for new names, while Kavanagh and Pico rebuild stock after rocky UFC starts.

Volkov edges Kuniev for third straight win, nears a title shot

Heavyweight Alexander Volkov beat Rizvan Kuniev by unanimous decision to extend his win streak to three and improve to seven wins in his last eight. Dana White said Volkov 'had a good performance' and insisted he recognized the contender at the pre-fight presser despite a viral clip suggesting otherwise. Volkov is now in the mix behind the UFC 334 Gane-Hokit winner and the UFC 335 Pavlovich-Pereira bout.

Why it matters: In a thin heavyweight division, Volkov's quiet consistency finally has him one win from a title shot he has chased for years.

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