Volkanovski retains UFC title and floats Gaethje retirement bout

Alexander Volkanovski has kept his UFC featherweight championship with a second-round TKO against Movsar Evloev in Abu Dhabi, then expressed interest in facing lightweight champion Justin Gaethje as a possible farewell fight.

The 38-year-old Australian headlined UFC 333, with referee Marc Goddard halting the contest six seconds before the second round ended. Volkanovski dropped Evloev with punches before continuing to strike him on the ground.

The victory was Volkanovski’s ninth UFC featherweight title-fight win across two reigns, extending his record. It was also the second successful defence of his current reign and his first stoppage in six bouts since 2023. His record stands at 29-4, while Evloev’s fell to 20-1.

Volkanovski said he would retire, regardless of the result, if offered a bout against Gaethje. The American won the lightweight championship in June by stopping Ilia Topuria, who had ended Volkanovski’s first featherweight title reign.

UFC boss Dana White responded favourably when asked about the proposed matchup, saying Volkanovski’s achievements meant the organisation would be reluctant to turn down his requests.

Evloev took Volkanovski down three times late in the opening round, but the Australian regained his feet each time. Volkanovski suffered a facial cut in the second round before his punches bloodied the challenger.

Among the Australians on the preliminary card, Colby Thicknesse beat Asaf Chopurov by split decision for his third consecutive win. Cam Rowston lost to Abus Magomedov through a first-round guillotine choke submission, while Jacob Malkoun lost a unanimous decision to Abubakar Vagaev.