Volkanovski Secures Quick Finish in Round Two
Alexander Volkanovski emphatically defended his featherweight title at UFC 333. The Australian fighter defeated undefeated challenger Movsar Evloev via technical knockout in the second round, specifically at the 4:54 mark, at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday (10/24/2026).
The 38-year-old Volkanovski sustained a cut beneath his left eye, but became even more aggressive in the second round. A flurry of heavy punches backed Evloev against the octagon fence, causing him to drop before referee Marc Goddard halted the bout with six seconds remaining in the round.
The defeat marked the first of Evloev's career in 20 professional bouts. For Volkanovski, the victory reinforced his status as one of the greatest featherweight fighters of all time following a series of title fights.
Promise to Wife on Wedding Anniversary
Following the bout, Volkanovski revealed the motivation behind his desire for a swift victory. He explained he had promised his wife he would finish the fight quickly because their wedding anniversary fell on the preceding Wednesday, sparing her excessive tension watching from cageside.
Volkanovski also expressed gratitude for the support received from UFC staff, fellow fighters, and fans. He remarked that the support had felt extraordinary throughout his octagon career.
The UFC 333 headliner took place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Yan Wins Unanimous Decision Against Dvalishvili
In the co-main event, Petr Yan retained his bantamweight championship by defeating Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision. All three judges scored the contest an identical 48-47 for Yan after five high-paced rounds that commenced from the opening bell.
Dvalishvili started aggressively across the opening two rounds with repeated takedown attempts, but Yan found his rhythm in the third frame behind body kicks and clean striking combinations. In the championship rounds, both fighters emptied their gas tanks, sending the outcome to the judges' scorecards.
The triumph marked Yan's second victory over Dvalishvili, following his title-winning unanimous decision win over the Georgian fighter in December 2025. The UFC 333 results concluded a championship doubleheader in Abu Dhabi with both titleholders retaining their belts.
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