UFC 333 set for Volkanovski-Evloev and Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy

Alexander Volkanovski, 28-4, will defend his UFC featherweight title against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333. Evloev enters the contest unbeaten at 20-0 and will finally receive his opportunity to fight for the championship.

The event is scheduled for October 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with the featherweight title fight as its main attraction. Evloev has won all 10 of his UFC bouts and strengthened his claim with a decision over Lerone Murphy in March.

The Russian had previously been overlooked despite holding a win over Diego Lopes, who was given opportunities ahead of him. His lack of stoppage victories was a factor in that delay, but the result against Murphy left his title credentials difficult to ignore.

Volkanovski is in his second spell as featherweight champion. The Australian regained the belt last year and defended it in April by defeating Lopes for the second time. He is 37 and has built a record that places him among the UFC’s most accomplished fighters.

Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili will meet in the co-main event for the third time. Yan, who is 20-5, holds the bantamweight championship, while Dvalishvili, 21-5, is the former champion. Their series is level at one win apiece.

Yan has won his last four fights and captured the bantamweight title from Dvalishvili by decision at UFC 323 in December. He has not yet successfully defended either of his UFC titles, including an interim championship he previously held.

Dvalishvili had made three successful defences before losing the belt to Yan. He was seeking a fourth defence within a 12-month period when that defeat ended his reign. UFC 333 will also feature a featherweight bout between England’s Arnold Allen and former Bellator fighter Aaron Pico.