UFC 333 blew the roof off Etihad Arena last Saturday (Oct. 24, 2026) in Abud Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), leaving several fighters feeling the post-fight blues. Among them was Merab Dvalishvili, who was unable to re-claim the UFC bantamweight title after getting out-classed by division king, Petr Yan (see it here).
And Ramazan Temirov, who was knocked out by Lone’er Kavanagh in the very first spherical (highlights here). And let’s not neglect about Losene Keita, who was also stopped in the opening body by former Bellator MMA standout, Aaron Pico (highlights). But which fighter is struggling from the worst post-fight hangover, now a few days eliminated from the show?
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Movsar Evloev.
Coming into his headlining title struggle against featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski, Evloev was as motivated as ever to show that he is the best 145-pound fighter on the planet and the uncrowned champion. He labored his approach up to a title struggle, and it was not simple, defeating a murderers row of contenders which consists of Diego Lopes, Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen and Lerone Murphy.
Unfortunately for the Russian bomber, he fell flat when it counted the most.
To be truthful, Evloev confirmed that he was going to have the measurement and energy benefit early on, maneuvering the champion up against the cage in the early exchanges. But once Volk began building up a sweat and getting his rhythm, he began to take over the struggle.
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In spherical two, “The Great” began to get his licks in a bit cleaner, which hassle the taller man. After connecting with a good uppercut, it was the starting of the finish of for the challenger, as Volkanosvksi pounced and beat on him until the referee stepped in to put an finish to the punishment.
It’s a robust blow for Evloev, who suffered the first loss of his profession after beginning off at 20-0, 10-0 UFC. The truth that he did not make the struggle aggressive won’t do him any favors when it comes time to contemplate him for another championship struggle. And that is going to be a robust capsule for him to swallow because if it took him so long to get his shot after placing in so much work, his next go-around is going to be a bit more durable.
“Alhamdulillah for everything. Today wasn’t my day. Everything is written by Allah, and I accept whatever He has planned for me,” wrote Evloev on social media shortly after the struggle. “Congratulations to Volk. He was the better man today. Thank you to the UFC for giving me the opportunity to fight for the title, and to all my fans.”
As far as who he should face in his first attempt to get back into the win column, perhaps a showdown against someone like Youseff Zalal might be in order Zalal was last seen shedding to the aforementioned Aljamain Sterling, which snapped his eight-fight win streak. Zalal — ranked No. 9 — is in the same boat as Evloev as far as needing a massive win before his ship begins to sink a bit sooner.
Thoughts?
For full UFC 333 outcomes, protection, and highlights click on HERE.
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