Volkanovski defeats Evloev by second-round TKO to retain featherweight title at UFC 333

Alexander Volkanovski retained the UFC featherweight championship on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, stopping challenger Movsar Evloev by TKO in the second round. The bout was competitive early, with both fighters exchanging strikes and the round’s winner split among observers. In the second round Volkanovski landed a right hand to the temple, followed by an uppercut and a flurry of ground strikes that prompted the referee to halt the contest.

"I truly believe that after this fight, people will say that this is the best version of Alex they've ever seen," Volkanovski said in a pre-fight interview with Megan Olivi.

"I said if I don't take too much damage, maybe I'll keep going," he added after the win, indicating he is still weighing future fights.

The victory gave Volkanovski his ninth featherweight title win, tying Jose Aldo’s record for most title defenses in the division and making him the oldest fighter to defend the featherweight belt. Evloev’s 20-fight unbeaten streak ended with the loss.

In the co-main event, Petr Yan retained his bantamweight title, defeating Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision after five rounds of action.