At UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2026, both Alexander Volkanovski and Petr Yan successfully defended their championship titles, continuing their dominance in their respective weight classes. Volkanovski retained his featherweight title with an emphatic second-round TKO against Movsar Evloev, shutting down his wrestling attempts and forcing a referee stoppage through a combination of precise striking and ground-and-pound. This victory reinforced Volkanovski’s standing as one of the greatest featherweights, executed in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Etihad Arena.

In the bantamweight co-main event, Petr Yan held onto his championship belt after a grueling five-round fight against Merab Dvalishvili, winning by unanimous decision with all judges scoring 48-47. Dvalishvili dominated the early rounds with consistent pressure and takedowns, but Yan shifted the momentum mid-fight with a critical left kick to the body, eventually edging out the closely contested encounter in their trilogy. The battle showcased both fighters’ skills, earning Fight of the Night honors along with a $100,000 bonus for each competitor.

The event also featured notable performances on the prelims, including Abus Magomedov’s quick submission victory via guillotine choke and Lone’er Kavanagh’s first-round TKO with dominant striking, both earning $100,000 Performance of the Night bonuses. Several other fighters who finished their bouts received $25,000 bonuses, adding financial reward to the competitive excitement of UFC 333. The overall card delivered intense action with multiple finishes and a showcase of emerging talent alongside established champions.

Following their victories, the future challengers for these champions have already stepped forward. Song Yadong publicly expressed interest in fighting Volkanovski next, while Sean O’Malley, who holds a prior win over Yan, also issued a challenge for a rematch. Given O’Malley’s record and marketability, the UFC is widely expected to grant him the next title shot in the bantamweight division, setting the stage for more high-stakes championship fights in the months ahead.