UFC 333: Volkanovski stops Evloev, offers to retire and vacate for Gaethje fight

Evloev, unbeaten before the night, was finished with punches from Volkanovski, who took over in the second round after Evloev could not impose his wrestling. The stoppage came six seconds before the round ended, and referee Marc Goddard waved it off. It was Volkanovski's first finish since his 2023 win over Yair Rodriguez.

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 the belt would be vacant so no division is held up. He added that he does not want the lightweight title in that fight, just a non-title retirement superfight. Dana White said there is not much the UFC would say no to with him. For now this is a callout: Gaethje has not responded, and has been dealing with hand injuries and has not made clear whether he plans to fight again.

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. If he stays at 145, Heavy named Jean Silva or the winner of Aljamain Sterling vs. Kevin Vallejos as likely challengers.

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.