UFC 333: Volk Breaks Title Win Record

by Javier Albite

UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev was this past Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In front of the largest crowd in Abu Dhabi's history, UFC Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski broke the record for the most title wins in UFC history and did it with style. In a second-round knockout, Volkanovski extended his title wins to nine, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport's greatest.

Background

The event was announced back in July, when the UFC was hosting a Fight Night in the same arena. 2x champion Volkanovski was set for his second title defense against then-undefeated fighter Movsar Evloev in the headliner, and 2x UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan was set for a title defense in a trilogy against former champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main. Yan won the title back against Dvalishvili in their second match at UFC 323, where media and fans unanimously agreed it was Fight Of The Year. These crazy fights plus the stacked undercard of top contenders like Lone'er Kavanagh and Alexander Volkov generated some of the biggest excitement for an event all year.

Columbus Hosts First-Ever Watch Party

Students hold their UFC 333 picks scoresheet (Photo Credit: Alejandro Levy)

In addition to the fighters breaking records, we set our own right here at school. With this event, Columbus hosted our first-ever UFC watch party, and second sports watch party following the CFP Indiana vs. Miami Championship Game earlier this year. Hosted by the Self Defense in MMA club, this is the first of many events they have planned down the line. With all the high-level performances leading fans to consider this event of the year, it's safe to say they had a fun time.

Main Card Results

• Aaron Pico (-155 favorite) def. Loseine Keita (+120 underdog) by Round 1 TKO (featherweight bout)

Pico shows off his talent and knockout power 74 seconds in and is already calling out the rest of the division, making his presence known.

• Alexander Volkov (-130 favorite) def. Rizvan Kuniev (+110 underdog) by Unanimous Decision (heavyweight bout)

Volkov puts on yet another performance against the Heavyweight Top 5, proving his place as the rightful top contender in the division.

• Lone'er Kavanagh (-115 favorite) def. Ramazan Temirov (+105 underdog) by Round 1 TKO (flyweight bout)

Kavanagh bounces back into the Top 5 with a bang after his submission loss to Brandon Royval earlier this year.

• Petr Yan (-145 favorite) def. Merab Dvalishvili (+120 underdog) by Unanimous Decision (bantamweight title fight)

After 10 months, Yan returns and puts on another Fight Of The Year contender against Dvalishvili, in what was probably the best performance of both of their careers.

• Alexander Volkanovski (-110) def. Movsar Evloev (-110) by Round 2 TKO (featherweight title fight)

Volkanovski shut down all the close-match discussions immediately, pummeling Evloev right before the end of the second round in one of his finest performances.

What's Next?

• Aaron Pico has definitely shown that he's worthy of some top competition. I think putting him against the loser of Sterling/Vallejos would make for a fun fight.

• Alexander Volkov has done enough waiting around in the division; he's now pretty much dominated most of the Top 10. He should definitely be next in line for the title after Gane/Hokit in November.

• Lone'er Kavanagh is still really young, and we don't know how much potential he truly has. I think a match against Tatsuro Taira would be a fun way to test both those young top prospects.

• Petr Yan has fought pretty much everyone in title contention already, but I think Sean O'Malley is probably the most deserving candidate for the title. Yan has been campaigning for Song Yadong to get the shot next, but O'Malley already won pretty dominantly against him earlier this year.

• Alexander Volkanovski should be on the verge of retiring, but instead he's busy dominating everyone in the division after Topuria left. Volkanovski has been campaigning for a lightweight title super fight against Justin Gaethje, but if he decides to stay at 145, I think a top contender match against Lerone Murphy and Jean Silva would be the best option while he recovers.