Volkanovski stops Evloev, Yan outpoints Dvalishvili as both keep UFC titles

Alexander Volkanovski retained the UFC featherweight title on Saturday. The Australian stopped Russia's Movsar Evloev in the UFC 333 main event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The bout was scheduled for five rounds. It ended in the closing seconds of the second round, after a right hand from Volkanovski and follow-up ground strikes. Al Jazeera gave the official time as 4:54 of the round. According to the BBC, referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight because Evloev was unable to defend himself.

It was the first professional loss of Evloev's career. Volkanovski is 38. According to the BBC, Evloev, 32, was in his first UFC title fight. The BBC also reported that Evloev led the first round in significant strikes and takedowns. It said the win made Volkanovski the first UFC featherweight to win nine title fights, passing Jose Aldo's eight.

In the co-main event, Russia's Petr Yan beat Georgia's Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision to keep the bantamweight title. It was their third fight. Yan took the belt from Dvalishvili in their rematch last December. According to Al Jazeera, all three judges scored the fight 48-47. ESPN reported that Dvalishvili landed five takedowns in the first two rounds and that Yan was the aggressor from round three.

On the same card, Lone'er Kavanagh stopped Uzbekistan's Ramazan Temirov at 4:28 of the first round of a flyweight bout. His previous fight was a loss to Brandon Royval.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include an official UFC results document.

What is disputed

• The Temirov finish: Al Jazeera and ESPN describe an uppercut; the BBC describes a left hook followed by a right hand.
• Kavanagh's record: The BBC calls this his first UFC stoppage win. ESPN's account of an earlier win over Brandon Moreno is internally inconsistent.
• Evloev's words: Al Jazeera and the BBC quote his post-fight remark about Volkanovski differently.

What each side says

Al Jazeera quoted Volkanovski as saying: "I'm choosing to do [fight], I don't have to. I said if I didn't take too much damage, we will probably keep going. So maybe we keep going." According to ESPN, he has suggested a lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje.

The BBC quoted Evloev as saying: "I didn't prove that I am the best. I'm not there yet. Maybe we'll try again."

The BBC quoted Yan as saying: "I am the champion of this organisation. I do not pick fights." He named Song Yadong as a possible opponent.

The BBC quoted Kavanagh as saying: "I'm here for that belt and, respectfully, anyone can get it."

Analysis

The results leave both champions in place. They do not settle what comes next. Volkanovski, 38, has said he may continue if he avoids heavy damage. ESPN reports he has floated a lightweight fight with Justin Gaethje. A featherweight defence and a move up in weight both remain possible. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not name a next opponent. Yan's win in the third meeting, which ESPN says gives him a 2-1 series lead over Dvalishvili, may help clear the bantamweight queue. Song Yadong is one option he named. At flyweight, Kavanagh's win adds to the contender picture. The BBC reports that Joshua Van is set to face Manel Kape in January.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.