MMA
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev, Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili trilogy bout set for UFC 333
Published
3 weeks agoon
UFC 333's headlining fights are set with a long-awaited matchup between Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev, and Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili settling the score in a trilogy bout.
The UFC officially announced the fights during Saturday's UFC 330 broadcast, with Volkanovski's featherweight title defense against Evloev being marked as the main event for the Oct. 24 event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Volkanovski (28-4) seeks the second successful defense of his second reign, while Evloev finally gets his championship opportunity after going 20-0 in his pro career.
Yan (20-5) delivered arguably the best performance of 2025 when he defeated Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 to reclaim the bantamweight title, snap Dvalishvili's 14-fight win streak, and avenge a loss from their first meeting in 2023. “No Mercy†has now won four straight fights following a career-worst three-fight skid and looks to put the stamp on his rivalry with Dvalishvili.
For Dvalishvili (21-5), he is coming off of a well-deserved layoff after successfully defending his belt three times in 2025 before Yan foiled his attempt to become the first UFC fighter to record four successful defenses in a calendar year. Prior to that loss, Dvalishvili's seven-year unbeaten streak included victories over Yan, Jose Aldo, Sean O'Malley, Henry Cejudo, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Cory Sandhagen, among others.
All four headlining fighters hold spots in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, with Yan at 3, Volkanovski at 5 (tied with Tom Aspinall and Ilia Topuria), Dvalishvili at 8 (tied with Sean Strickland) and Evloev at 19.
Other main card bouts announced for the event include Lone'er Kavanagh vs. Ramazan Temirov, Alexander Volkov vs. Rizvan Kuniev, and Arnold Allen vs. Aaron Pico.
Several preliminary bouts are also now official, Dominick Reyes vs. Azamat Murzakanov, Abus Magomedov vs. Cam Rowston, Nikita Krylov vs. Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev, and Grant Dawson vs. Nurullo Aliev.
UFC 333 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24.
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MMA
Muhammad Mokaev claims he’s best flyweight in world after UFC exit
Published
1 hour agoon
September 5, 2026
Mokaev is convinced he's the best flyweight across mixed
martial arts.
Mokaev (17-0) continues to win titles outside the
Ultimate Fighting Championship since his controversial exit
from the promotion. He repeatedly campaigned for a UFC return while
picking up wins in MMA, submission grappling and Karate Combat.
Muhammad Mokaev explains why he believes he's the world's top
flyweight
When asked by Red Corner MMA whether he considers himself the best
125-pounder in the world, Mokaev reiterated his past claims. The
Dagestan-born Brit added that he'll continue winning outside the
UFC after being denied a title shot in the premier
organization.
“I just know it,†Mokaev said. “I know they just didn't give me a
chance to get the belt. I'll keep collecting belts all over the
world and calling their fighters out.â€
After leaving the UFC, he won the
Brave CF flyweight championship before adding the ACBJJ title
to his list of accolades. After winning the latter, “The Punisherâ€
sent a message to UFC CEO Dana
White.
“Dana said two years ago, ‘Become champion somewhere else.' I
became Brave CF champion, ACBJJ champion, five fights, four
finishes, staying busy and showing the world why I’m the best
flyweight in the world,†Mokaev previously said in a video posted
on social media.
Muhammad
Mokaev believes he's already the best flyweight in the world
and says he'll continue collecting belts worldwide while calling
out top UFC fighters.“I just know it,†Mokaev told Red Corner MMA when asked if he feels
like he's the best flyweight in the world.“And I… pic.twitter.com/uzAiETFSfj
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA)
September 3, 2026
Muhammad
Mokaev sends a message to Dana White 👀“Dana said 2 years ago – ‘he can become champion somewhere
else’.I became Brave CF champion, I became ACBJJ champion, I won 5 fights
with 4 finishes within 2 years. Staying busy, staying active and
showing the world why I’m the… pic.twitter.com/vMKd9eQ957— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
August 31, 2026
MMA
Israel Adesanya makes major training change amid UFC losing skid
Published
3 hours agoon
September 5, 2026
MMA
Jorge Masvidal credits Kimbo Slice for helping launch his fighting career
Published
5 hours agoon
September 5, 2026
Masvidal remembers exactly how Kimbo
Slice influenced his career.
Speaking to Daniel
Cormier, the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger and BMF champ
detailed how a shared connection to Miami’s Freestyle Fighting
Academy eventually led to him competing on Slice’s backyard-fight
platform.
Jorge Masvidal recalls how Kimbo Slice gave him a shot on his
backyard-fight platform
Masvidal revealed that he and Slice came from nearby areas, had
mutual friends and began training together at the same gym. By
then, Masvidal was already pursuing mixed martial arts
seriously.
“Well, particularly with Kimbo, it just so happened we didn't grow
up far from each other,†Masvidal said. “We had some friends in
common and we ended up at the same gym, Freestyle Fighting Academy,
and we started training.â€
Masvidal recalled already having amateur fights and grappling
experience when one of the gym owners asked Slice to watch him
spar. At the time, Slice's videos were generating massive attention
online.
“One of the gym owners asked him, goes, ‘Man, I got a really
talented dude. I want you to watch him spar and see if you'll put
him on,'†Masvidal said. “I always give him big props because he
put me on his platform. He didn't have to.â€
Masvidal said the fights were kept secret because organizers risked
fines and potential arrest, and recalled receiving just two hours’
notice before one event. The first event took place in Liberty
City, Miami, behind a laundromat. Before Masvidal’s bout, Slice
warned him about his opponent’s right hand.
“I'm going to give you the location right now. You got two hours to
get there,†Masvidal recalled being told. “He comes back about 20
seconds later and he goes, ‘Keep your left hand up. He's got a
really, really good right.' So, we got in there, and we made magic,
man.â€
Muhammad Mokaev claims he’s best flyweight in world after UFC exit
Israel Adesanya makes major training change amid UFC losing skid
Jorge Masvidal credits Kimbo Slice for helping launch his fighting career
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