UFC 333 Fallout: Volkanovski and Yan Face Divergent Paths
Volkanovski defeated Evloev in two rounds while Yan closed his trilogy with Dvalishvili, setting the stage for high-stakes rematches and title challenges in 2027.
By Tristan Parker ·
Alessandro Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev in the second round on Saturday to retain his UFC featherweight belt, but the decision of where to fight next remains complicated by his past record. The Australian champion has lost two of his three career UFC bouts at 155 pounds, a weight class that now threatens to become a trap rather than a stepping stone. He told ESPN in September that he did not love the idea of jumping the line at lightweight to fight Justin Gaethje, especially with Arman Tsarukyan standing as the obvious title challenger. A bout with Charles Oliveira for the BMF belt in 2027 could legitimize the winner as a true contender for the 155-pound belt, according to ESPN analysis. If Oliveira defends against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 in December, the path to a 2027 matchup appears clear.
Evloev, who entered the fight undefeated, now faces a difficult reentry into the rankings. He described his future as a challenger with the words, "maybe I'll try again." ESPN noted that while English is his second language, the loss marks the end of a long climb to the top. Pat Sabatini, who is 9-2 in the UFC, is the most logical next opponent for Evloev. The gatekeeper role will likely define Evloev's next period in the division, with Steve Garcia serving as a secondary option after his June loss to Lopes.
Petr Yan ended his trilogy against Merab Dvalishvili with a unanimous decision, closing a chapter that spanned two years. Yan has now faced two potential challengers who have already beaten him, but Sean O'Malley presents the most compelling next step. O'Malley holds a controversial victory over Yan from 2022 and has won his last two fights, including a knockout of Aiemann Zahabi. ESPN argues that while O'Malley's recent wins do not scream title shot, the history between the two makes the rematch unavoidable. Song Yadong offers an alternative, having knocked out Umar Nurmagomedov with a single strike, but O'Malley makes more sense for an immediate title challenge.
Dvalishvili, coming off his second consecutive loss, is expected to seek a rematch with Nurmagomedov. The two have genuine heat, and their first fight at UFC 311 in January 2025 was named fight of the night. Nurmagomedov presumably wants to fight before Ramadan begins in February. Payton Talbott is a wild card option, as he has shown enough potential to earn a shortcut to a former champion despite the jump in competition.
Aaron Pico remains a key featherweight contender with a proposed matchup against Jean Silva. This fight was suggested after Pico's April win over Patricio Pitbull. With Diego Lopes moving to lightweight, Silva becomes a significant jump for Pico. Youssef Zalal, who returned to the UFC after a 0-3 start in 2021, offers another potential clash of high-potential fighters who have yet to fully realize their ceilings.
Volkanovski and Yan both secured victories on the main card, but their next steps depend on factors outside the Octagon. The UFC must decide whether to prioritize narrative or pure ranking order. For Volkanovski, the BMF belt offers a bridge to the lightweight division. For Yan, the O'Malley rematch resolves a two-year saga. The organization will likely look to pair these high-profile matchups for 2027 events, ensuring that the winners of Saturday have immediate work to do.
Source: ESPN
