Volkanovski, Yan shine at UFC 333 with historic title defenses — SkimNews
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- Alexander Volkanovski stopped unbeaten Movsar Evloev in the second round at UFC 333, breaking Jose Aldo's record for featherweight title wins and tying Aldo's record for most title defenses
- Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision in a five-round trilogy bout at UFC 333, overcoming a 58-takedown-attempt onslaught to win the final three rounds
- Volkanovski improved to 15-1 in UFC featherweight bouts and became the sole record holder for most title fight wins at 145 pounds, cementing his case as the greatest in division history
- Yan solidified his comeback arc by neutralizing Dvalishvili’s cardio and wrestling after two losses in 2020–2021, now making a claim as the most accomplished bantamweight champion ever
- Merab Dvalishvili broke his own UFC record with 58 takedown attempts in the fight and earned respect in defeat, with the source noting he likely would have beaten any other 135-pounder that night
- Islam Makhachev retained the top spot in the men's pound-for-pound rankings after 17 consecutive Octagon wins, though he delayed a January return, prompting an interim title fight at UFC 336
Why it matters: Volkanovski and Yan have redefined longevity and adaptability in lower weight classes, with Volkanovski breaking long-standing records at 38 and Yan overcoming career setbacks to dominate a relentless challenger—proving elite skill can persist beyond typical athletic peaks in a sport where age and wear usually erode dominance.
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