UFC 333: Volkanovski stops Evloev in round two, floats Gaethje retirement fight

Evloev, unbeaten before the night and a winner on points in every earlier UFC fight, kept the first round close. Volkanovski took over in the second, stayed with him in the clinch and on the ground, and finished with punches just before the round ended. Evloev could not impose his wrestling.

Volkanovski, 38, says he will probably keep fighting if he takes little damage, but a Gaethje super fight is different. At the press conference he called it "something I would retire for" and said he would vacate the belt so the division is not held up. Dana White said there is not much the UFC would say no to with him. This remains a callout, and Gaethje has not responded in the coverage.

Other options are in the mix. Volkanovski said he would be open to facing Arman Tsarukyan if it did not hold up a division, and Petr Yan said he would take a move up to featherweight. Heavy named Jean Silva or the winner of Aljamain Sterling vs. Kevin Vallejos as likely challengers if he stays at 145.

Evloev took the loss graciously, saying he did not prove he is the best and that maybe they will try again. He plans to go home and recover from his injuries. Volkanovski said he started getting sick before the fight, and according to reporter Oscar Willis he refused all medication, even ibuprofen, because he felt it would give him a sporting advantage.