UFC 333 Aftermath: Volkanovski and Yan Face Next Tests

Alexander Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev in the second round on Saturday to retain his featherweight championship. The victory extended his reign, but it also placed him in a difficult position regarding his next opponent. The UFC 333 event concluded with both top champions holding their belts, yet their paths forward diverge sharply based on their recent results and divisional politics.

Volkanovski’s next likely opponent is Charles Oliveira. If Oliveira defends his BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 in December, a matchup between the two would be a logical next step. Volkanovski has two losses in the lightweight division, and a win over Oliveira would validate him as a contender for the 155-pound belt. He previously told ESPN in September that he did not want to jump the line to fight Justin Gaethje, especially with Arman Tsarukyan clearly next in line for the title.

The featherweight division presents a different challenge for Evloev. The former unbeaten fighter must now settle for the role of gatekeeper. Pat Sabatini, who holds a 9-2 record in the UFC, is the most obvious choice to face Evloev next. Evloev described his future as a title challenger with the phrase "maybe I'll try again," a comment that may reflect his second language status. His first loss came against a fighter many consider the greatest in the 145-pound class.

Petr Yan closed his trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili by winning a unanimous decision. Yan now looks toward Sean O'Malley for his next bout. O'Malley has not fought since a knockout of Aiemann Zahabi, following a close victory over Song Yadong. He holds a controversial victory over Yan from 2022, which makes a rematch a strong candidate for the next title fight.

Dvalishvili, coming off his second consecutive loss, is expected to move quickly. A rematch with Umar Nurmagomedov is the most probable scenario. The two fighters have genuine heat between them, and their first bout at UFC 311 in January 2025 was named fight of the night. Nurmagomedov is expected to return before Ramadan begins in February, creating a tight window for the match to be made.

Other contenders are also positioning themselves. Aaron Pico, who beat Patricio Pitbull in April, could face Jean Silva in a high-risk matchup. Youssef Zalal, who lost to Aljamain Sterling in April, remains a wildcard option after winning five consecutive fights following his return to the promotion.

The immediate schedule hinges on the results at UFC 335 in December. Volkanovski and Yan will wait for their respective opponents to clear their current commitments. The divisional rankings will shift accordingly, with each champion seeking to solidify their status through high-profile rematches or new rivalries.