Volkanovski stops Evloev at UFC 333 to set featherweight title-win record

Alexander Volkanovski retained his UFC featherweight championship with a second-round stoppage of Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, setting a divisional record with his ninth title-fight victory. BBC Sport reported that the Australian finished the previously unbeaten Russian in the closing seconds of the round at Etihad Arena, moving ahead of Jose Aldo's eight featherweight title wins.

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Referee Marc Goddard intervened after Volkanovski established top position and landed a succession of punches that Evloev could not defend. The result gave the 38-year-old champion his second successful defence since reclaiming the vacant belt. Volkanovski had lost the championship to Ilia Topuria in February 2024 before returning to the top of the division.

Evloev, 32, had made a competitive start to his first UFC championship opportunity, which arrived seven years after his debut in the organisation. According to the BBC's account, the challenger finished the opening round ahead in significant strikes and takedowns despite Volkanovski's strong early work. That initial success did not carry through into the second round.

Volkanovski briefly sent Evloev to the canvas early in the second before taking control of the decisive exchange in its final minute. An overhand right preceded the champion securing the position from which he delivered the finishing punches. The stoppage ended Evloev's unbeaten run and secured a record-breaking win for Volkanovski without the contest reaching the third round.

Afterwards, Volkanovski praised Evloev and expressed satisfaction at securing a finish, BBC Sport reported. He also left open the possibility of continuing his career, rather than confirming a decision about his next fight. Evloev acknowledged that he had not established himself as the best in the division and said he needed rest and recovery before considering another attempt.

The co-main event also ended with the champion retaining his belt. Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision in their third meeting, completing his first bantamweight title defence since taking the championship from the Georgian last December. Yan recovered from a slow start, with a liver kick late in the third round helping turn the contest before he edged the championship rounds, according to the BBC report.