UFC 333: Aussie Great Stuns Undefeated Evloev in Abu Dhabi
Alexander Volkanovski has written himself deeper into the UFC history books, stopping previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev with a second-round TKO at UFC 333 — a ninth title win at featherweight, more than any man before him.
He was written off, aged out and counted out. On Sunday morning, Australian time, Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski answered every one of those doubts in the space of two rounds.
The two-time featherweight champion from Windang, NSW, dismantled the previously undefeated Movsar Evloev at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with the doctor or referee waving off the contest in round two of the UFC 333 main event.
In doing so, the 38-year-old set a new benchmark: nine UFC featherweight title victories, the most in the division's history — a record he already shared and now owns outright.
Evloev arrived with a perfect 20-0 record and a reputation as the division's great unsolved puzzle — a relentless grappler who had never lost, and never been finished in the UFC. But Volkanovski, back-to-back defending champion after two wins over Diego Lopes, was a step ahead all morning.
The Russian, 32, had earned his shot with wins over Lerone Murphy, Arnold Allen and Aljamain Sterling. None of that mattered once the champion's hands started landing.
"I actually promised the missus, it was our wedding anniversary on Wednesday, I promised her a quick one so she wasn't stressing on the sideline, so there you go"- Volkanovski said at his post-fight interview.
The win extends Volkanovski's remarkable second reign, which began after back-to-back setbacks against Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria had many calling time on one of Australia's greatest ever fighters.
What's next for Volk?
The question now is who can lay a glove on him. Jean Silva looms as the most exciting fresh challenger for the 145-pound crown, while Evloev — despite his first career loss — remains one of the division's elite and will no doubt be back.
For now, though, one thing is certain: the most dominant featherweight the UFC has ever seen is not going anywhere.
