Volkanovski's Two-Round Stoppage Opens Door to Oliveira Rematch

Alexander Volkanovski ended the career of Movsar Evloev in just two rounds at UFC 333, securing a featherweight title defense that immediately shifts focus to a potential lightweight return. The victory was decisive, putting a stop to Evloev's undefeated record and positioning the champion for his next major move. With the belt secured, the conversation has turned to who Volkanovski should face next in the Octagon.

The most logical step for Volkanovski is a bout against Charles Oliveira. This matchup becomes feasible if Oliveira defends the BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 in December. A fight in 2027 would feature two established veterans at the peak of their abilities, avoiding the perception of a late-career exhibition. Volkanovski has stated he does not want to jump the lightweight line to fight Justin Gaethje, especially with Arman Tsarukyan as the obvious title challenger. A victory over Oliveira would legitimize Volkanovski as a contender for the 155-pound belt without skipping the queue.

Evloev faces a tougher path after his first professional loss. He is now in the position of gatekeeper, a role that typically involves defending against top-ranked challengers. Pat Sabatini, who holds a 9-2 record in the UFC, is the most obvious candidate for that spot. Alternatively, Steve Garcia could be considered. Garcia recently lost to Diego Lopes at UFC Freedom 250 in June, making him a viable option for Evloev to regain momentum.

Petr Yan closed his trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili by winning a unanimous decision, ending a three-fight series with the former champion. With that cycle complete, the focus shifts to Yan's next challenger. Sean O'Malley is the primary candidate, despite a mixed record since losing to Dvalishvili in 2024 and 2025. O'Malley has two wins, including a knockout of Aiemann Zahabi. He also holds a controversial victory over Yan from 2022, which the promotion has long been expected to revisit.

Dvalishvili, coming off his second consecutive loss, is likely to seek a quick return. A rematch with Umar Nurmagomedov is the most probable scenario. Their first fight in January 2025 was named Fight of the Night, and both men are currently coming off defeats, a factor the UFC often considers when matchmaking. Nurmagomedov is expected to return by January, before the start of Ramadan in February. This bout offers genuine heat and a clear narrative for the fans.

In the featherweight division, Aaron Pico is positioned to fight Jean Silva. This matchup was suggested after Pico defeated Patricio Pitbull in April. With Diego Lopes moving to lightweight, Silva becomes a larger jump for Pico, but it represents a significant fight for both. Pico has shown high potential but has suffered devastating finishes in the past. The bout would serve as a major test for Pico's resilience and skill.

The results from UFC 333 have created clear trajectories for the main card winners. Volkanovski has a path back to the lightweight title, Yan has a rematch option with O'Malley, and Dvalishvili has a competitive rival in Nurmagomedov. These specific matchups offer immediate content for the promotion and provide the fighters with defined goals for their next engagements in the cage.