Volkanovski and Yan Set Next Fights After UFC 333 Wins
Champions target specific rivals following their title defenses, with Oliveira and O'Malley emerging as primary contenders.
By Hannah Williams ·
UFC 333 concluded on Sunday, October 25, with two title defenses setting up new matchups for 2027.
Alexander Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev in the second round to keep his featherweight belt. The win clears a path for the champion to move up to lightweight. He is targeting Charles Oliveira, who will defend his BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 in December. Volkanovski told ESPN in September that he prefers a BMF bout over jumping the line to fight Justin Gaethje. A win in that fight would position him as a serious contender for the 155-pound belt, bypassing Arman Tsarukyan.
Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision to end their trilogy. The bantamweight champion now eyes Sean O'Malley for his next defense. O'Malley holds a controversial victory over Yan from 2022. Since losing to Dvalishvili in 2024 and 2025, O'Malley has won two fights, including a knockout of Aiemann Zahabi. Yan also faces Song Yadong, who defeated O'Malley in January. Song’s explosive style offers a different challenge than O'Malley’s technical precision.
Defeated challengers are also plotting their return. Evloev, who suffered his first career loss, may face Pat Sabatini next. Sabatini holds a 9-2 record in the UFC. Dvalishvili is expected to fight Umar Nurmagomedov before Ramadan begins in February. Their first meeting in January 2025 ended with Nurmagomedov breaking his hand, while Dvalishvili fought through injuries. Aaron Pico is set to face Jean Silva, a matchup that pits two high-potential featherweights against each other.
The results from the main card determine the immediate hierarchy in three weight classes. Volkanovski’s two-round stoppage of Evloev solidified his status at 145 pounds before his potential move up. Yan’s decision win over Dvalishvili closed a chapter that began in 2022. The upcoming December card will feature Oliveira and Lopes, a bout that could directly influence Volkanovski’s schedule. These matches set the stage for a series of high-stake rematches and title challenges in the coming months.
Source: ESPN
