Volkanovski sets featherweight title record with stoppage of Evloev

Alexander Volkanovski extended his hold on UFC featherweight history by stopping Movsar Evloev inside two rounds at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, according to BBC Mixed Martial Arts.

The 38-year-old Australian floored his previously unbeaten challenger with a ground-and-pound assault in the closing seconds of round two at the Etihad Arena, prompting referee Marc Goddard to step in once Evloev could no longer defend himself.

The result ended the 32-year-old Russian's 20-fight winning streak, with Volkanovski becoming the first opponent to beat him, Yahoo Sports reported.

It also made Volkanovski the first featherweight in UFC history to register nine title victories, moving him past Jose Aldo's long-standing mark of eight, BBC Mixed Martial Arts noted.

Yahoo Sports added that the win earned Volkanovski a $100,000 bonus.

This was the champion's second successful defence since he recaptured the vacant title last April, having lost his belt to Ilia Topuria in February 2024.

Evloev, fighting in his first UFC title bout seven years after his promotional debut, showed no sign of nerves and was unexpectedly competitive early on, landing more significant strikes and takedowns than Volkanovski across the opening round despite the champion's fast start.

The contest turned in the second, when Volkanovski clipped his opponent and briefly sent him to the canvas before closing the show with a barrage of punches in the final minute that Evloev had no answer for.

Volkanovski praised his opponent afterwards. "He's a great fighter, and he was undefeated for a reason. I just said I'm the right guy for that job," he said. "I have nothing but respect for him. It feels good to get a finish."

He also reflected on his position in the sport as his career enters its later stages. "I'm so blessed. I'm very happy to be where I am and to be able to do what I'm doing in this sport - and choose to do it. I don't have to."

On the manner of the finish, he added: "I said if I didn't take too much damage, we'd probably keep going. So maybe we keep going."

The build-up had framed the bout as a potential tipping point for Volkanovski, with Independent Sport describing him as arguably the greatest featherweight of all time while questioning whether age, and an opponent he once trained alongside, might finally catch up with him in Abu Dhabi.

That preview drew comparisons with other dominant champions whose reigns unravelled once a challenger found the right moment to push, though Volkanovski answered those questions with his ninth successful night defending UFC gold.

His walk to the Octagon drew a warm reception from the Etihad Arena crowd, a reminder of the following he has built as he edges towards the latter stages of his UFC career.