Volkanovski targets record ninth UFC featherweight title win
Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight title against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. A victory would give him a record ninth win in UFC featherweight title fights, moving past Jose Aldo. Volkanovski says he is motivated by challenges rather than records after regaining the belt following a 2024 loss to Ilia Topuria.
Volkanovski, 38, returns to defend against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. A win would mark his ninth UFC featherweight title-fight victory, one more than Jose Aldo. He reclaimed the belt after Ilia Topuria stopped him in 2024, then took 14 months away before beating Diego Lopes and repeating that result in February.
His edge comes from balance across disciplines rather than a single finishing route. He holds the division’s longest average bout length at 18 minutes three seconds, and his 11-fight UFC winning run from 2016 to 2023 trails only Max Holloway’s 13. He has also beaten Holloway three times and Aldo in 2019.
The result may shape how fans and fighters discuss featherweight greatness, especially in Australia and among UFC audiences. A record-setting win could boost Volkanovski’s commercial profile and inspire older athletes considering career longevity. It may also increase attention for Evloev and the Abu Dhabi card, while debates over records versus quality could affect how media frame MMA legacies.