Volkanovski stops Evloev for record ninth title win
Alexander Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev in the second round at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first UFC featherweight to win nine title fights. The result strengthened his claim to be the division’s greatest and ended Evloev’s unbeaten record.
Evloev had the stronger first round for significant strikes and takedowns, but Volkanovski gained control early in the second before finishing with ground-and-pound in the final seconds. The 38-year-old has now defended the title twice since regaining the vacant belt last April. In the co-main event, Petr Yan beat Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision to defend his bantamweight title for the first time.
In short
- Volkanovski set a UFC featherweight record with his ninth title-fight win.
- He stopped previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev in round two.
- Petr Yan retained his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Volkanovski’s record ninth title-fight win, achieved by stopping an unbeaten challenger, strengthens the case that his skill, adaptability and longevity make him the greatest featherweight. His recovery after Evloev’s stronger first round also shows how effectively he can adjust during a fight.
The case against
One victory, even a record-setting one, cannot settle a greatest-of-all-time debate, which depends on how achievements across different eras and opponents are weighed. Evloev’s success in the first round suggests he posed a serious challenge, while Volkanovski’s age and remaining career may shape how his legacy is ultimately judged.
Explained simply
UFC is a mixed martial arts organisation whose fighters compete in weight divisions for championship belts. The featherweight division is for fighters within a set weight limit, while bantamweight is a lighter division; title fights decide who holds each division’s belt.
Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev compete at featherweight, where a fighter’s record and title wins help shape their standing. Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili are bantamweights, so their contest involved a separate championship.