This is the UFC 333 live blog for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev, the featherweight championship main event Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
In his second reign as 145-pound champion, Volkanovski currently holds the No. 5 spot in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, while the undefeated Evloev is at No. 19.
Volkanovski (27-4) reclaimed the featherweight title after it was vacated by Ilia Topuria in 2025. The belt was put up for grabs at UFC 314, where Volkanovski won a hard-fought decision over Diego Lopes, and then went on to defeat Lopes in another title fight when they rematched at UFC 325. Widely hailed as one of the greatest fighters of all time, Volkanovski can add to his unassailable legacy if he can hand Evloev his first loss.
10-0 in the UFC, 20-0 as a pro, Evloev has done everything he can in the cage to earn his championship opportunity. Evloev has yet to find a finish inside the octagon, but there’s no questioning his success as he has beaten top contenders Lerone Murphy, Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Lopes to assure himself his spot at the front of the line. Can Evloev make it 21-0 when it matters most?
Check out the UFC 333 live blog for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev below.
Preamble
This card has been great so far with wild finishes and an electric five-round battle between Yan and Dvalishvili for the bantamweight gold. Featherweight great Volkanovski now has the mission to stop an unbeaten challenger in Evloev in the main event. Will he?
Round 1
They touch gloves, and the UFC featherweight title is on the line. They trade punches on the feet and Volkanovski forces Evloev to walk backwards for a brief moment. Body kick for Evloev, and they both miss a punch. “Movsar” chants in Abu Dhabi! Leg kick for Volkanovski, but he misses a right hand. Volkanovski with a good jab, and he Evloev has him on the ground! Volkanovski quickly gets back up, though. Volkanovski with a jab. Volkanovski pressures the challenger against the fence, and Evloev gets him down only for a brief moment again. Evloev lands a great left hand as they separate from another grappling exchange. Evloev with a couple of knees to the body in the clinch, and a head kick in the center of the octagon. Volkanovski fires back with a right hand that barely lands.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Evloev.