Volkanovski stops unbeaten Evloev Yan beats Dvalishvili in rematch

Alexander Volkanovski retained the UFC featherweight title at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, stopping previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev by TKO at 4:54 of round 2. The 38-year-old recorded his ninth UFC featherweight title win, surpassing Jose Aldo, and his seventh overall defense, the second of his second reign. Evloev entered 20-0 with UFC wins over Lerone Murphy, Arnold Allen and Aljamain Sterling and took his first pro loss. Early, Volkanovski landed leg kicks and jabs; Evloev scored takedowns that Volkanovski stood up from quickly and a right hand that briefly stumbled him. In round two Volkanovski stuffed a takedown, countered with a left hook, then landed a flush left hook and right hand before finishing with ground-and-pound. Petr Yan retained the bantamweight title over Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision, 48-47 on all cards, avenging a prior loss in their third meeting after Dvalishvili's early wrestling gave way to Yan's body kicks and boxing from round three. Volkanovski called out Justin Gaethje for a lightweight superfight. Rated coverage was limited to one left-rated outlet on next fights; no center or right-rated headlines appear in the record.