Volkanovski wins in 2 rounds and aims for lightweight title fight

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev in two rounds at UFC 333, preserving his title and clearing the way for a potential move up to the lightweight division. The victory ends Evloev's unbeaten record and leaves the champion with a clear target in Charles Oliveira.

Oliveira, currently the BMF champion, is scheduled to face Diego Lopes at UFC 335 in December. If Oliveira retains that belt, the stage is set for a 2027 bout between the two. Volkanovski previously indicated in September that he did not want to skip the queue at lightweight to fight Justin Gaethje, given the presence of Arman Tsarukyan as an obvious challenger.

A fight against Oliveira would allow Volkanovski to establish himself as a legitimate contender for the 155-pound belt. The BMF title angle adds a layer of prestige, but the primary goal for Volkanovski is proving his effectiveness in the weight class that has produced two of his three career losses in the UFC.

The wildcard scenario for Volkanovski involves Arman Tsarukyan. If Justin Gaethje retires following his June victory in the White House, the lightweight title shot would likely go to Tsarukyan. Volkanovski would be positioned to challenge for that vacant seat, bypassing the need for a BMF unification first.

In the bantamweight division, Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision to conclude their trilogy. With that rivalry closed, Yan is now set to face Sean O'Malley. O'Malley holds a controversial victory over Yan from 2022 and has won his last two fights, including a knockout of Aiemann Zahabi.

The O'Malley fight represents the biggest available match for Yan. While Song Yadong also has a strong case for a title shot, O'Malley recently defeated Song in January. A rematch with O'Malley offers a tactical chess match, whereas a bout with Song would test Yan against higher explosive power.

Dvalishvili, now coming off back-to-back losses, is expected to seek a rematch against Umar Nurmagomedov. Their first meeting in January 2025 was a fight of the night, where Nurmagomedov fought through a broken hand. Both fighters are currently on the losing side of recent contests, a factor the UFC often considers in matchmaking.

Nurmagomedov is likely to return by January to avoid missing the start of Ramadan in February. The rematch between the two would provide immediate heat for the bantamweight division, though Payton Talbott remains a potential wild card as he seeks to climb the rankings against a former champion.

Among the other main card results, featherweight Aaron Pico is positioned for a bout with Jean Silva. This matchup is viewed as the most explosive in the division, particularly with Diego Lopes moving up to lightweight to face Oliveira. Pico has shown high potential but has suffered devastating finishes in the past, making a clash with Silva a critical test of his durability.

The upcoming schedule includes UFC 335 in December, where Oliveira and Lopes will contest the BMF title. The outcomes of that fight, along with Gaethje's future plans, will dictate the immediate trajectory for Volkanovski and the lightweight title picture in 2027.