Volkanovski prepares for Evloev title defence at UFC 333
Unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev has won 10 UFC bouts in succession, while a bantamweight title trilogy also features on the Abu Dhabi card.
Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski is preparing to put his featherweight championship on the line against Russia’s Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, with two title contests heading the card.
Volkanovski, whose MMA record stands at 28-4, is attempting his second title defence since beginning his second reign in April 2025. Evloev has a 20-0 MMA record and secured his opportunity through a narrow decision against England’s Lerone Murphy in London last March.
Volkanovski acknowledged the challenger’s versatility and unbeaten record but said he had encountered a similar wrestling challenge before. Evloev described the Australian as the UFC’s greatest featherweight and said he wanted to test himself against him.
The other title bout pits Russian bantamweight champion Petr Yan against Georgia’s former champion Merab Dvalishvili for a third time. Yan, with a 20-5 MMA record, is seeking consecutive victories over Dvalishvili, 10 months after their UFC 323 meeting. Injuries to both delayed another contest.
At the pre-fight press conference, Volkanovski wore a blond wig and red trousers to promote his recently released film Street Fighter. The 38-year-old plays Joe in the movie.
